Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw sheep and lamb skins in Northern America experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 9 540 t in 2018, it saw a minor increase to 9 555 t the following year before declining to 8 962 t in 2020. A partial recovery to 9 137 t occurred in 2021, but another drop to 8 875 t followed in 2022. The market volume then rose to 9 036 t in 2023, resulting in an overall decrease of approximately 5% over the six-year period.

Market dynamics were influenced by several key factors highlighted in recent years. The trade dispute between the United States and China led to tariffs on lambskin exports, reducing demand from a major importer. Concurrently, consumer preference shifts toward synthetic alternatives and a stronger US dollar made natural pelts less attractive. Environmental regulations that forced the closure of small tanneries in China further constrained processing capacity for these skins. In 2024, an increase in the lamb crop, with the highest lambing percentage since 2020, pointed to a rise in potential skin supply, while specialized domestic processors like Bucks County Fur Products continued to operate within this evolving landscape.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Northern America

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

Northern America's production of raw sheep and lamb skins declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 295 tonnes, which was 4.7% lower than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 921 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Northern America exported 338.1 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 66.1%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports actually decreased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 203.6 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 469.1 tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 56.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern America's raw sheep and lamb skins exports were China, Poland, and Trinidad and Tobago. China accounted for 62.2% of exports by volume, Poland for 15.5%, and Trinidad and Tobago for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 78.6% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of raw sheep and lamb skins exports from Northern America fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 321.5 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 19.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 51%, averaging an annual decline of 21.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 764.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 48.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, exports of raw sheep and lamb skins from Northern America in value terms were distributed among many countries. China was the largest market, accounting for 41.9% of export value, followed by Poland at 6.3% and Denmark at 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented 49.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Northern America declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 5.0 tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 39.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports plummeted by 99.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -79.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru was the primary supplier of raw sheep and lamb skins to Northern America, accounting for 1.4% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern America imported raw sheep and lamb skins worth 128.1 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 20.8% from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 125.5 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 161.8 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 29.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the leading sources for Northern America's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins in value terms were Switzerland, Peru, and Denmark. Switzerland accounted for 1.2% of import value, Peru for 1.0%, and Denmark for 0.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 2.9% of total import value.

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

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