Raw sheep and lamb skins market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw sheep and lamb skins in India grew steadily from 108.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 176.5 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was supported by a large domestic sheep population, which provided a solid raw material base, and ongoing livestock vaccination campaigns that improved animal health and productivity, contributing to higher skin output.

Government initiatives further stimulated production. From 2023, the National Livestock Mission offered 50% subsidies for establishing sheep and goat breed multiplication farms, while the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund incentivized investments in meat processing and breeding infrastructure. These measures helped reduce import dependence, with imports falling from 5.8 thousand tons to 3.1 thousand tons over the period. In 2024, policy adjustments continued, including a 40% export duty on raw hides and skins and schemes to develop organized market clusters for sheep and goat products.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India ranked as the world's third-largest 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

India's production of raw sheep and lamb skins grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 134.1 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 14.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 27.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 103.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from India

Exports in kind, t

India's exports of raw sheep and lamb skins fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled just 0.1 tonnes, a sharp drop of 87.1% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 99.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 79.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for India's exports of raw sheep and lamb skins were the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 45.7% of exports, Germany with 32.2%, and Malaysia at 11.0%. Together, these three markets made up 88.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

India's export value of raw sheep and lamb skins declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 13 thousand US dollars, a moderate decrease of 3.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 82.8%, with an average annual decline of 44.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany contributed the most to India's export value of raw sheep and lamb skins at 43.7%, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 25.1%, and Turkey at 10.1%. These three countries together accounted for 78.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to India

Imports in kind, t

India's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 3 937 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 12.7% decline compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 47.4%, equating to an annualized reduction of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the leading source for India's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins, making up 36.4% of imports, followed by Saudi Arabia at 17.6%, and the United Arab Emirates at 6.8%. Combined, these three partners represented 60.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India's import value of raw sheep and lamb skins dropped for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 8 293 thousand US dollars, a solid 22.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 45.2%, with an average annual fall of 18.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia was the top contributor to India's import value of raw sheep and lamb skins at 29.6%, followed by New Zealand at 14.7%, and Turkey at 13.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 58.1% of total import value.

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

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