Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw sheep and lamb skins in Northern Africa expanded from 134.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 141.3 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was underpinned by specialized import-export companies supplying high-quality salted sheepskins from sub-Saharan Africa and regional sheep breeding projects in Senegal, which reinforced the livestock base and supported skin production.

Market volume then experienced a slight contraction to 140.2 thousand tons in 2021 and remained stable at that level through 2022.

In 2023, the market recovered to 142.1 thousand tons, primarily driven by state interventions ahead of the Eid al-Adha festival. Moroccan authorities implemented exceptional subsidies for sheep imports, waiving customs duties and VAT, while the Algerian state-owned company Alviar imported live sheep from Romania. These measures increased the number of animals slaughtered, boosting the availability of raw skins. Contextual factors like structural drought and inflation affected sheep prices. Into 2024, similar subsidy schemes and persistent drought conditions continued to shape the market environment.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Northern Africa's production of raw sheep and lamb skins has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 141.7 thousand tonnes, marking a slight year-over-year rise of 1.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 138.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.0%.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Northern Africa's exports of raw sheep and lamb skins have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 966 tonnes, representing a significant drop of 38.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 75.7%, with an average annual decrease of 37.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 329 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.2%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 63.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of raw sheep and lamb skins from Northern Africa were Turkey, accounting for 34.3% of exports in kind, Italy with 12.4%, and Nigeria at 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented 50.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of raw sheep and lamb skins shipments from Northern Africa to abroad has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 848 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp contraction of 71.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 80.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 42.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Italy, Turkey, and Nigeria—collectively accounted for 63.1% of the total export value of raw sheep and lamb skins from Northern Africa.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market for imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Northern Africa showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 592 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 1 171 tonnes, representing a two-fold variation. In 2020, deliveries to Northern Africa totaled 604 tonnes, indicating a sharp drop of 48.5% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 97.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in kind of raw sheep and lamb skins to Northern Africa were widely dispersed across partner countries. France led with 23.6% of imports in kind, followed by Italy at 11.7%, and Greece at 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 45.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market for raw sheep and lamb skins in Northern Africa exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa imported approximately 373 thousand US dollars worth of raw sheep and lamb skins, down by 76.7% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 598 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, France, and Italy formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms of raw sheep and lamb skins into Northern Africa. Spain accounted for 25.2% of imports in value terms, France for 13.5%, and Italy for 13.3%. Together, these three countries represented 51.9% of total import flows.

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

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