Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins entered a pronounced decline from 2018, with market volume dropping from 293.6 thousand tons to 150.5 thousand tons by 2022. This contraction was primarily driven by the ongoing reduction in the number of active tanneries in Sweden, as several producers ceased operations or relocated to low-cost countries amid intense international competition. Simultaneously, stricter environmental compliance costs under EU REACH legislation raised production expenses, while consumer preferences shifted away from leather footwear, reducing downstream demand for raw hides.

The downturn accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted global hide supply chains and further depressed demand from the shoe industry, a key customer segment. Regulatory oversight from Swedish county administrations continued to constrain production, and by 2021, although hide exports showed some recovery, domestic market size in value terms fell to just $2.9 million, reflecting persistent weak internal consumption and high outbound shipments.

By 2022, the market remained at a low level, facing additional headwinds from global supply chain bottlenecks and raw material price volatility. Industry adaptation centered on sustainable tanning methods, traceability systems, and closer collaboration with Nordic slaughterhouses to secure quality hides, but these measures did not reverse the overall volume decline. Import and export flows in subsequent years indicated continued reliance on foreign trade, while the domestic production base stayed diminished.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sweden's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 6 514 K $ US, marking a sharp drop of 29.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 56.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 24.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 283 K $ US, which saw a 40.8% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 56.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden ranked as the 11th largest global producer of raw bovine and equine hides and skins.

Top producers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production volume peaked in 2018 at 298.0 K t, while the lowest was in 2017, resulting in a 34-fold difference. In 2020, Sweden produced 217.0 K t, a steep fall of 27.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 27.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 3 272.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 16 673 t, which is 6.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Denmark were the two leading markets, together accounting for 80.2% of total exports in volume, while the remaining volume was distributed across a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 19 454 K $ US, a 26.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 55.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy and Denmark served as the core markets for exports in value terms, jointly making up 85.7% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Sweden's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 13 499 t, which is 11.2% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 204 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 13.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and Denmark were the main sources for imports in volume, jointly accounting for 95.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was split among other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 19 206 K $ US, reflecting a 33.3% loss from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 49.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017-2020, Norway and Denmark formed a dominant pair of markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 88.3% of total flows, whereas other countries represented the residual share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020