Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian raw sheep and lamb skins market volume increased from 1,950 tonnes in 2018 to 2,520 tonnes in 2023, despite a declining national sheep flock that had fallen by over 13% since 2002, limiting domestic production capacity. Sustained slaughter volumes, averaging around 560,000 head annually, supported skin production, which rose from 2,287 tonnes to 2,486 tonnes over the same period.

Market size fluctuations were heavily influenced by export volatility, with the United States and China accounting for over 99% of Canada's sheepskin exports. A sharp drop in exports in 2019, from 397 tonnes to 64 tonnes, contributed to a market peak of 2,392 tonnes that year, while export swings in subsequent years continued to shape domestic availability.

By 2024, record-high producer prices for slaughter lambs and a 3.6% decline in lamb and mutton consumption emerged alongside regulatory changes, including the modernization of livestock feed regulations and new animal cloning rules, which introduced potential shifts in the sheep farming sector affecting skin supply.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of raw sheep and lamb skins, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw sheep and lamb skins, 2017-2020

Raw sheep and lamb skins production in Canada has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Canada produced 2,389 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, which represents a 1.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,287 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 0.3%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, with a rise of 3.1%.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Canada

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 64.4 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 396.9 tonnes, showing a 6.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Canada's exports of raw sheep and lamb skins stood at 212.1 tonnes, marking a substantial increase of 229.3% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 83.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the leading export partner for raw sheep and lamb skins from Canada, accounting for 73.3% of total flows, while other markets contributed to a long tail of smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Raw sheep and lamb skins exports from Canada have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 252.5 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 26.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 61.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 27.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 735.7 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 53.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 12.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States and China were the primary buyers of raw sheep and lamb skins from Canada, together accounting for 97.6% of total exports in value terms, with other partners playing a less significant role.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Canada

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Canada's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins amounted to 80.8 tonnes, indicating a robust decrease of 18.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 13.2%, equating to an annualized decrease of 4.6%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 60.0 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 99.2 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 35.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 65.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States dominated Canada's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins in kind, holding a 96.9% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Canada's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins in value terms amounted to 127.8 thousand US dollars, showing a significant decline of 19.1% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 125.2 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 158.0 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 26.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States effectively concentrated imports of raw sheep and lamb skins to Canada in value terms, accounting for 96.3% of total flows.

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

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