Market research

Raw sheep and lamb skins market in SADC

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw sheep and lamb skins in SADC expanded from 17.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 24.5 thousand tons in 2023. Early in the period, a decline in sheep numbers due to predators and stock theft in South Africa constrained the supply of skins, yet the market volume grew through 2019. After a contraction in 2020, the market entered a sustained recovery phase.

Growth accelerated significantly from 2021, with volume reaching 20.1 thousand tons in 2022 and 24.5 thousand tons in 2023. This surge was supported by higher local demand for lamb and mutton, which increased slaughter rates and the availability of raw skins. Concurrently, frequent load-shedding disrupted processing operations, while export opportunities to Middle Eastern markets began to regain momentum, adding to market activity.

By 2024, lamb and mutton slaughter numbers in South Africa had risen by 11% year-on-year, further boosting the raw material base for skins. The market also felt pressure from global dynamics, including record slaughter volumes from Australia and drought conditions there, which weighed on international ovine prices and influenced regional supply conditions.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

After two years of growth, raw sheep and lamb skins production in SADC declined. In 2020, SADC produced 34 512 tonnes of raw sheep and lamb skins, marking a 3.0% contraction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 35 590 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.8%	4.2%	(3.0%)	2.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Raw sheep and lamb skins exports from SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 18 272 tonnes, representing a modest 7.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 579 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 14.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.4%)	2.8%	7.2%	(1.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Italy remained the key export partners for raw sheep and lamb skins, accounting for 91.1% of total export volumes. China led with 53.4% of exports, followed by Turkey at 20.4%, and Italy at 17.3%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Raw sheep and lamb skins exports from SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 25 895 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial reduction of 24.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 55.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 23.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.8%)	(27.0%)	(24.8%)	(23.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Italy and China together accounted for 81.6% of total export value, with other countries forming a more diversified but less significant portion of the market.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Raw sheep and lamb skins imports into SADC showed significant fluctuations during the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 36 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2020 at 362 tonnes, creating a 10.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports showed a sharp increase of 196.0% from 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 88.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 244.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(88.6%)	244.5%	196.0%	5.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United Kingdom, and Italy formed the core group of import markets for raw sheep and lamb skins, together representing 28.0% of total import volumes. China accounted for 25.5% of imports, followed by the United Kingdom at 1.8%, and Italy at 0.6%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Raw sheep and lamb skins import volumes in SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 197 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 43.7% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 48.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 19.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.8%)	(5.3%)	(43.7%)	(19.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, China, and Spain remained the three largest markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 17.6% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io