Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume of raw sheep and lamb skins in Central Asia reached 84 970 t. The construction of new leather processing workshops, such as the plants owned by Taalai Group with a capacity of up to 800 thousand skins annually, increased demand for unprocessed raw materials. However, in 2019, the market volume fell to 81 643 t due to systemic issues, including the annual discarding of millions of untanned skins, which highlighted insufficient processing and industry inefficiency.

The market began to recover in 2020, reaching 82 739 t, despite low utilization of processing capacities at only 6% and problems with raw material quality. A significant rise to 85 280 t in 2021 was directly linked to the ban on exports of untanned skins, which sharply reduced outward shipments and increased domestic supply. Further growth to 88 575 t in 2022 was stimulated by the abolition of export duties on skins of cattle and small ruminants, aimed at boosting production. By 2023, the market volume had grown to 91 227 t, although the industry continued to face low processing efficiency.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Central Asia

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

Central Asia's production of raw sheep and lamb skins increased after two years of contraction. In 2020, the region produced 82 814 tonnes, which was 1.0% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 81 993 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0%.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments from Central Asia abroad amounted to 96.3 tonnes, representing a dramatic drop of 78.1% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 460.5 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 91.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Central Asia's raw sheep and lamb skins exports in kind were Turkey (34.1% of exports), Pakistan (24.6% of exports), and Russia (17.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 76.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Central Asia's raw sheep and lamb skins exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 54.6 thousand US dollars, which was 57.0% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 47.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 19.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 157.0 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 51.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Central Asia's raw sheep and lamb skins exports in value terms were Pakistan (55.3% of exports), Russia (18.5% of exports), and Turkey (14.8% of exports). This cluster of countries jointly accounted for 88.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Central Asia imported 21.7 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, reflecting a steep decrease of 75.8% from the previous year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Spain (37.3% of imports), Azerbaijan (18.3% of imports), and Italy (17.4% of imports) made the biggest contribution to imports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 73.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Central Asia imported approximately 31.2 thousand US dollars of raw sheep and lamb skins, showing a steep reduction of 63.8% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (42.0% of imports), Azerbaijan (13.9% of imports), and Italy (9.5% of imports) consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 65.5% of total import flows.

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

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