Market research

Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for raw sheep and lamb skins in Eastern Africa expanded from 51 719 t to 68 765 t, driven by a rise in domestic production from 51 069 t to 68 999 t.

A two-year contraction followed, with the market declining to 59 279 t in 2022 as production fell, before recovering to 64 475 t in 2023 alongside a production rebound to 65 112 t.

Recent industry developments include state-led initiatives like Uganda's State House Kawumu Leather Tannery securing supply contracts, and the introduction of export levies on raw hides and skins across the region to promote local value addition and processing.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Eastern Africa's production of raw sheep and lamb skins has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 68 999 tonnes, marking an 8.5% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 40.7%, which translates to an average annual increase of 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.2%	24.5%	8.5%	12.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable pattern over the observed period. Export levels varied significantly, with a 2.8-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 399 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, a 64.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 116 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 70.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(21.7%)	70.8%	(64.3%)	(21.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Nigeria, China, and the United Kingdom—collectively accounted for 57.0% of Eastern Africa's total exports of raw sheep and lamb skins in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The highest value was observed in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.8 times. In 2020, exports of raw sheep and lamb skins from Eastern Africa amounted to 1 363 thousand US dollars, a 31.1% year-on-year decline. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 719 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 1 978 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 51.2% was seen in 2018, while the largest increase of 175.1% occurred in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(51.2%)	175.1%	(31.1%)	(2.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong emerged as the main markets for exports in value terms, representing 26.3%, 20.1%, and 5.0% of total exports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 51.4% of the total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Eastern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 164 tonnes, down by 48.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 94%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 60.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(52.4%)	(75.3%)	(48.9%)	(60.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, three principal markets—Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and Mali—together made up 60.2% of total imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Eastern Africa in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Eastern Africa fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the import value was recorded at 256 thousand US dollars, a 47.6% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 94.5%, averaging an annual decline of 62.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(52.1%)	(78.1%)	(47.6%)	(62.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and Mali were the core markets for imports in value terms, accounting for 51.1%, 8.2%, and 6.6% of total imports, respectively. Combined, they represented 65.9% of the total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io