Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume dipping to 29 808 tonnes in 2019 before recovering to a peak of 38 791 tonnes in 2023. The most notable surge occurred in 2022 when the market expanded by 17% to 38 732 tonnes, largely due to a sharp increase in imports from neighboring Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, which boosted available supply.

Market growth then plateaued in 2023 as volume stabilized at 38 791 tonnes. Chronic quality issues linked to poor animal husbandry and preservation practices hindered further production increases and market efficiency. By 2024, import volumes fell significantly to 3 064 tonnes, aligned with a reported decline in export prices and overall market value, pointing to weaker demand or competitive pressures.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Uganda's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins reached 30,600 tonnes in 2020, showing a strong increase of 10.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 27,625 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 30,751 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

The export data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 32 tonnes, while in 2020 they peaked at 92 tonnes, marking a substantial increase of 189.6% from the previous year. The difference between these peak and trough levels was 2.9 times. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Togo, and Hong Kong were the top buyers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Uganda. Nigeria accounted for 36.6% of exports in kind, Togo for 32.2%, and Hong Kong for 13.8%. Together, these three markets represented 82.6% of Uganda's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2019, with a gap of 5.8 times between these years. In 2020, Uganda's export volume of raw bovine and equine hides and skins was valued at 97,000 US dollars, up by 452.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 18,000 US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 79.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and Togo formed the core group of markets for Uganda's exports in value terms. Hong Kong accounted for 38.6% of exports, Nigeria for 22.0%, and Togo for 18.0%. Combined, these three markets represented 78.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Uganda's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1,254 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 43.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 62.1%, which equates to an average annual decline of 27.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda and Burundi were the key partner countries for Uganda's imports in kind, together accounting for 93.3% of total import flows. Other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Uganda's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 635,000 US dollars, down by 63.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 71.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 34.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,385,000 US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two countries—Rwanda and Burundi—concentrated most of Uganda's imports in value terms of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, while other markets were less significant individually.

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

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