Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Western Asia expanded from 263 thousand tons in 2018 to 406 thousand tons in 2023, driven by a surge in imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily disrupted regional trade flows, contributing to a rise in import volumes as supply chains adjusted. This was followed by a significant increase in Indian exports of leather and footwear to the region in 2022, which further boosted market availability.

Domestic production grew steadily throughout the period, reaching 291 thousand tons in 2023. However, by 2024, the industry in key markets like Saudi Arabia faced pressure from stringent environmental regulations, such as water treatment requirements, which led to a consolidation of tanneries and could impact future local supply. Concurrently, imports moderated in 2024 after a peak in 2023, reflecting broader global economic volatility that affected trade dynamics.

The market's underlying strength is supported by substantial local investments, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the tanning industry is considered strategic and relies on domestic raw material supply, especially from the seasonal sacrificial festival. While external factors like energy price fluctuations influenced production costs, the overall consumption trend remained upward, fueled by regional demand from related manufacturing sectors.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

Western Asia's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 252.4 thousand tons, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 24 943 tons of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, showing a significant drop of 16.2% year-over-year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 19 176 tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 29 754 tons. The sharpest fall was in 2018 at 26.0%, and the largest rise was in 2019 at 55.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's raw bovine and equine hides and skins reached numerous markets, with the top destinations—Nigeria, Portugal, and Italy—collectively making up only 20.1% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Asia's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 18 229 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp contraction of 35.8% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 58.4%, with an average annual decrease of 25.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Western Asia supplied raw bovine and equine hides and skins to a diverse range of markets. Italy accounted for 16.1% of export value, Portugal for 11.4%, and India for 9.0%, together representing just 36.5% of total exports. The remaining 63.5% came from many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 67 964 tons of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, a substantial increase of 69.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 74.9%, averaging an annual rise of 20.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports by volume were spread across a wide array of partner countries. Turkmenistan contributed 11.0% of imports, Afghanistan 8.2%, and the United States 5.4%, together accounting for only 24.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Western Asia's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms rebounded in 2020. The region imported 42 962 thousand US dollars, up 26.3% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.2%, with an average annual drop of 6.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 34 013 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 32.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia traded raw bovine and equine hides and skins with many countries. The top sources—Turkmenistan, the United States, and Afghanistan—together made up only 32.4% of total imports by value.

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

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