Raw sheep and lamb skins market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for raw sheep and lamb skins in South America grew from 57 799 t to 65 867 t. The year 2018 saw a 3% drop in international sheepskin prices, which pressured the industry. Despite continued supply chain and labor challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, production and market volume expanded.

After reaching a peak in 2020, the market volume decreased to 63 011 t in 2022 and then saw a modest recovery to 63 794 t in 2023. During this phase, the global market attracted new participants, while in key regional markets like Northern Patagonia, rising average lamb prices reflected stable local supply and demand conditions.

In 2024, regional slaughter activities concluded with stable or slightly increasing prices, pointing to continued market steadiness. Global demand for sheep meat and related products maintained its upward trend, although some countries faced challenges from declining sheep populations.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in South 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

South America's production of raw sheep and lamb skins has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 64 131 tonnes, marking a slight gain of 2.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from South America

Exports in kind, t

South America's exports of raw sheep and lamb skins declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1 405 tonnes, which represents a significant drop of 53.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 69.1%, with an average annual decline of 32.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 791 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Mexico, and Turkey were the core markets for South America's raw sheep and lamb skins exports in volume terms. China accounted for 67.6% of exports, Mexico for 7.8%, and Turkey for 3.0%, together representing 78.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

South America's export value of raw sheep and lamb skins fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 252 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 70.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 81%, with an average annual rate of 42.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 7 353 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Mexico, and Turkey remained the principal buyers of raw sheep and lamb skins from South America in value terms. China held 58.6% of export value, Mexico 18.2%, and Turkey 2.1%, jointly accounting for 78.8% of total exports.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins showed noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totalled 3 141 tonnes, up by 6.8% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 88.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand formed the main cluster of markets for South America's raw sheep and lamb skins imports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 36.7% of imports, Australia for 15.7%, and New Zealand for 11.3%, together making up 63.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

South America's import value of raw sheep and lamb skins declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 3 617 thousand US dollars, representing a contraction of 8.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 19.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 025 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 66.0%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Spain formed the core of South America's raw sheep and lamb skins imports in value terms. Australia accounted for 27.5% of import value, the United Kingdom for 26.0%, and Spain for 11.2%, together taking 64.7% of total import flows.

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

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