Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Production of raw sheep and lamb skins in Latin America and the Caribbean rose from 74 384 t in 2018 to 79 809 t in 2020, with market volume expanding from 72 699 t to 81 650 t over the same period. This growth took place amid a general decline in raw hide prices globally in 2018, which created a challenging price environment for the industry.

After peaking in 2020, both production and market volume showed modest fluctuations but overall stabilization through 2023. Advances in lamb skin processing technology reported in 2022 improved finished product quality, boosting consumer demand in colder regions and contributing to market resilience.

The market maintained its activity, supported by an active international trade hub in Guanajuato, Mexico. Furthermore, the concurrent growth of the global sheep and lamb meat market provided indirect support for hide production, as skins are a co-product of meat processing.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Latin America and the Caribbean

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

Latin America and the Caribbean saw raw sheep and lamb skins production increase for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 79 809 tonnes, a modest 2.5% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Raw sheep and lamb skins exports from Latin America and the Caribbean fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1 421 tonnes, a sharp 54.4% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 66.7%, with an average annual decrease of 30.7%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 4 778 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Germany were the top buyers of raw sheep and lamb skins from Latin America and the Caribbean. China accounted for 65.5% of exports in volume, Turkey for 2.9%, and Germany for 1.6%, together making up 69.9% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Raw sheep and lamb skins exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms declined for the second year running. In 2020, the region exported 1 299 thousand US dollars, a steep 69.3% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 80.6%, with an average annual decline of 42.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 7 443 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Turkey, and Spain were the leading markets for raw sheep and lamb skins exports in value terms. China represented 57.7% of exports, Turkey 2.0%, and Spain 1.6%, together comprising 61.4% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of raw sheep and lamb skins into Latin America and the Caribbean showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 3 262 tonnes, a 9.1% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.3%, and the biggest rise was in 2018 at 87.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand were the main sources of raw sheep and lamb skins imports into Latin America and the Caribbean. The United Kingdom supplied 36.1% of imports in volume, Australia 15.4%, and New Zealand 11.1%, together accounting for 62.7% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Raw sheep and lamb skins imports into Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 3 926 thousand US dollars, a slight 2.6% contraction from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 29%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 5 097 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 67.5%, while the biggest decline was in 2019 at 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Spain were the top suppliers of raw sheep and lamb skins to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms. Australia contributed 26.7% of imports, the United Kingdom 25.3%, and Spain 10.9%, with their combined share reaching 62.9% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020