Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Ethiopian market for raw sheep and lamb skins grew steadily, with volume increasing from 24 409 t to 31 525 t. This expansion was driven by government policies that discouraged raw hide exports to promote local tanning and value addition, alongside a large and growing livestock population that ensured raw material supply. The launch of new tannery facilities by foreign investors in 2021 further boosted processing capacity.

The market peaked in 2021 before contracting to 29 354 t in 2022 and 28 952 t in 2023. This decline was primarily caused by the conflict in northern Ethiopia, which led to the closure and destruction of tanneries, severely disrupting production. Additionally, the removal of Ethiopia from the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary list in 2022 negatively impacted leather exports, reducing demand for raw skins. Supply chain mismatches and ongoing instability continued to challenge the sector through 2024.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the 14th largest global producer of raw sheep and lamb skins.

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

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

Ethiopia's production of raw sheep and lamb skins grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 30 723 tonnes, representing a modest 4.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 32.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, showing a 4.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Ethiopia exported 298 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 71.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 036 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 319.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria dominated Ethiopia's exports in kind, accounting for 77.0% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among a fragmented group of other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. Export values bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 38-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia exported raw sheep and lamb skins worth 1 218 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 35.0% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 874 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 3 715.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United Kingdom together concentrated 80.8% of Ethiopia's total export value, with the remainder spread across other destinations, each contributing smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Ethiopia's imports of foreign raw sheep and lamb skins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 24 tonnes, down 77.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 99%, with an average annual decline rate of 78.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ethiopia's imports in kind were heavily focused on Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 70.7% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's imports of foreign raw sheep and lamb skins fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume amounted to 46 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 73.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 98.9%, with an average annual decline rate of 77.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia (65.7% of import value), Senegal (10.5%), and Mali (8.7%) formed the core of Ethiopia's imports in value terms, together accounting for 84.8% of total flows.

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

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