Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's market for raw sheep and lamb skins contracted from 983 t in 2018 to 833 t in 2023. This overall decline was driven primarily by a sharp and sustained reduction in imports, which fell from 123 t in 2018 to zero by 2023, while domestic production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 830 t and 901 t.

A temporary market increase to 932 t occurred in 2020, coinciding with a peak in import prices for lamb and sheep meat that year, which may have influenced trade flows and availability of raw skins. The subsequent market contraction in 2021 aligned with a 64% surge in import prices for cattle hides and skins, signaling broader supply tightness and cost pressures within the domestic raw hides sector.

By 2023, the market relied entirely on domestic production, which stabilized at 833 t. This stabilization took place against a backdrop of a notable decline in the African sheep leather market, reflecting reduced regional demand for related leather products.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Uganda

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

Uganda's production of raw sheep and lamb skins declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 898.0 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 901.4 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Uganda

According to industry analysis, Uganda did not export any raw sheep and lamb skins between 2017 and 2020.

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

The import market for raw sheep and lamb skins in Uganda showed significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 1.1 tonnes, then surged dramatically to 33.7 tonnes in 2020, representing a remarkable 2 939.6% increase from the previous year. The peak import volume occurred in 2018 with 123.1 tonnes. The difference between the highest and lowest years was substantial, with 2018 imports being 111 times greater than those in 2019. The most significant decline happened in 2019 when imports dropped by 99.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins came primarily from three neighboring countries. Tanzania was the largest supplier, accounting for 43.3% of imports by volume, followed by Rwanda with 22.4% and Malawi with 16.1%. Together, these three countries represented 81.8% of Uganda's total imports of these products during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Uganda's import market for raw sheep and lamb skins in value terms experienced considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at just 888 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 74 174 US dollars. In 2020, imports rebounded sharply to 21 967 US dollars, representing a dramatic 2 373.8% increase from the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest years was substantial, with 2018 imports being 84 times greater than those in 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 when import values fell by 98.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Tanzania and Rwanda dominated Uganda's imports of raw sheep and lamb skins in value terms. These two markets together accounted for 82.6% of total import value, with the remaining share distributed among other trading partners.

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

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