Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Djibouti

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for raw sheep and lamb skins in Djibouti declined from 464.3 t to 434.7 t, with a notable drop in 2019. This coincided with a lack of significant commercial outlets for the sector, which remained underdeveloped. Seasonal meat demand during religious holidays such as Eid consistently influenced skin availability, supporting domestic consumption. In 2020, the implementation of the National Development Plan 2020‑2024 created a framework for infrastructure improvements, while the COVID‑19 pandemic introduced uncertainty into supply chains.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume fluctuated, peaking at 445.6 t in 2021 before falling to 433.8 t in 2022 and recovering to 441.3 t in 2023. These movements occurred against a backdrop of maintained traditional slaughter practices and seasonal consumption patterns. In 2022, events promoting livestock exports involving state port authorities could have indirectly affected the skins sector by altering live‑animal flows. Data for 2023 contained no specific factors to explain the moderate market expansion.

In 2024, the progressive implementation of HS 2022 amendments by Djibouti’s customs administration may affect the classification and taxation of imported and exported skins. The cultural significance of Eid al‑Adha continues to drive seasonal sheep demand, which in turn influences raw skin availability. The full‑year market outcome will depend on the interplay of these regulatory and seasonal influences.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Djibouti

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

Djibouti's production of raw sheep and lamb skins has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 434.7 t, which remained virtually unchanged from the 2019 level.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Djibouti

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6.8 t, then peaked in 2017, showing a 26-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Djibouti exported 22.8 t of raw sheep and lamb skins, which represents a 237.9% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 96.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, two key markets—Ethiopia and India—dominated exports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export volumes declined to their lowest level in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 17 times. In 2019, raw sheep and lamb skins deliveries from Djibouti stood at 19.8 K $ US, showing a dramatic rise of 38.4% compared to 2018. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 14.3 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred that same year, with a drop of 94.0%.

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

Over 2017–2020, exports in value terms of raw sheep and lamb skins from Djibouti were heavily concentrated on Ethiopia and India, whose combined share reached 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Djibouti

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2 times. In 2019, Djibouti registered 19.5 t of raw sheep and lamb skins, marking a steep loss of 48.8% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 38.0 t, while the largest increase occurred that same year, with a rise of 52.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia (48.8% of imports in kind), Iran (30.3% of imports in kind), and Australia (20.9% of imports in kind) played the leading roles in imports in kind of raw sheep and lamb skins to Djibouti, jointly taking 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. A 2.4-fold variation was registered between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018. In 2019, raw sheep and lamb skins deliveries to Djibouti totalled 33.0 K $ US, which is 57.8% less compared with 2018. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 78.2 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred that same year, with a rise of 139.2%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia (56.4% of imports in value terms), Iran (22.7% of imports in value terms), and Australia (20.9% of imports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms, together representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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