Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Turkish market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins expanded significantly, with volume growing from 201 thousand tons to 336 thousand tons. This growth was supported by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 144 thousand tons to 189 thousand tons, and a sharp rise in imports after 2021. A key driver was the regulatory measure introduced in 2021 requiring the salting of sacrificial animal hides, which improved the quality and market value of domestic raw materials, encouraging greater supply.

Market transparency and efficiency improved from 2022 onward when state institutions like T.C. Et ve Süt Kurumu began selling hides and offal through online tender systems. This digitalization facilitated smoother transactions. Furthermore, the growing leather goods export sector, which saw a 44% increase in 2024, indicated stronger processing capacity and derived demand for raw hides, supporting continued market expansion.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions, yet the Turkish hide market demonstrated resilience with import volumes rising to 76 thousand tons that year. Throughout the period, continuous government support for livestock farming and sustained quality-enhancing practices, including the salting obligation and awareness campaigns, provided a stable foundation for production growth.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey ranked 10th globally in the production 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

Turkey's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 151.4 K t, a 1.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 22.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 7.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins production in Turkey was 48 582 K $ US, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 1.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 13%, with an annualized rate of 4.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 48 744 K $ US, which saw the largest increase of 13.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 2.2%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Turkey's export volume of raw bovine and equine hides and skins fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 971 t, a significant drop of 26.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 26.9%, averaging an annual decline of 9.9%. The peak volume occurred in 2018 at 1 657 t, which also saw the largest increase of 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's export structure in volume terms was highly concentrated, with Nigeria alone accounting for 91.3% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Turkey's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 311 K $ US, a steep 25.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 32.7%, with an annualized decline of 12.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 559 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 20.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Nigeria consistently represented 70.4% of Turkey's total export value for raw bovine and equine hides and skins, highlighting a strong reliance on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

Turkey's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms improved in 2020, reaching 76 015 t, a 49.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 41.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 50 984 t, which also saw the largest decline of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's import structure in volume terms was diversified. Key partners included Iraq (24.6% of imports), Turkmenistan (11.5%), and Afghanistan (8.6%), which together accounted for 44.6% of total flows, with the remaining 55.4% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Turkey's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms rebounded in 2020, standing at 40 307 K $ US, a sharp 27.8% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.7%, with a CAGR of -5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 31 530 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 31.7%.

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

The market base for Turkey's imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Iraq (17.9% of imports), Turkmenistan (15.4%), and Afghanistan (8.6%) collectively represented 41.9% of total flows, while the remaining 58.1% was shared among many other countries.

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

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