Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Kyrgyzstan's production of raw sheep and lamb skins increased from 11 642 t to 14 247 t, while the market volume grew from 11 370 t to 14 368 t. This steady expansion was underpinned by a growing raw material base, as sheep and cattle herds expanded across the country. Simultaneously, the construction of new leather processing workshops in the regions enhanced the industry's ability to fully utilize skins, turning them into higher-value products.

Government measures played a significant role in shaping the market. In 2020, discussions about removing export duties on raw cattle hides raised concerns about raw material shortages, prompting a focus on domestic processing. The introduction of animal identification numbers for legal shipments further regulated the supply chain. Later, state procurement orders for raw hides—920 thousand pieces in 2022 and over 1 million pieces in 2025—created guaranteed demand, encouraging slaughterhouses and processors to increase output. These steps, coupled with the entry of new processing facilities, helped sustain production growth even when regional factors, such as low capacity utilization in Kazakhstani tanneries, indicated quality challenges in the broader Central Asian market.

Looking ahead, factors observed in 2024 and 2025 suggest continued momentum. Herd numbers for sheep and cattle kept rising, bolstering the raw material pipeline. New leather production units came online, creating jobs and boosting processing capacity. Additionally, strengthened veterinary and phytosanitary controls aimed to improve raw material quality, while large-scale wool and hide processing projects in Kazakhstan signaled regional investment that could influence trade flows and technology transfer.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kyrgyzstan ranked 27th globally in the production of raw sheep and lamb skins.

Top producers of raw sheep and lamb skins, 2018-2021

World map of production of raw sheep and lamb skins, 2018-2021

Kyrgyzstan's production of raw sheep and lamb skins grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 13 138 tonnes, marking a 6.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 12.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The export market for raw sheep and lamb skins showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 at 377.7 tonnes, but then dropped sharply to 59.0 tonnes in 2020, representing an 84.4% decline from the previous year. This resulted in a 6.4-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 39.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Kyrgyzstan's raw sheep and lamb skins exports were Turkey, China, and Pakistan. Turkey accounted for 36.5% of exports in kind, China for 27.6%, and Pakistan for 26.5%. Together, these three countries made up 90.7% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, $ US

Export values for raw sheep and lamb skins experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 65 504 US dollars, followed by a drop to 20 080 US dollars in 2020, a decrease of 69.3% from the previous year. This created a 3.3-fold amplitude between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2019, with a rise of 35.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Pakistan and Turkey together dominated Kyrgyzstan's raw sheep and lamb skins exports in value terms, capturing 83.8% of the total. The remaining exports were distributed among other markets in smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Kyrgyzstan imported 21.5 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, which was a 66.2% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Spain, Italy, and Turkmenistan—accounted for 99.0% of Kyrgyzstan's total imports in kind of raw sheep and lamb skins.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of Kyrgyzstan's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins totaled 21 672 US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 64.8% year-over-year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Spain and Turkmenistan were the leading sources for Kyrgyzstan's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins in value terms, jointly representing 86.1% of total imports. Other countries contributed much smaller shares to the import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021