Raw sheep and lamb skins market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw sheep and lamb skins in Western Asia grew substantially from 2018 to 2023, with production increasing from 156 thousand tons to 240 thousand tons. This drove the total market volume up from 204 thousand tons to 296 thousand tons over the six-year period, even as imports fluctuated between 48 and 64 thousand tons.

In 2024, imports fell sharply to 35 thousand tons. This decline occurred alongside reported decreases in sheep skin imports across the MENA region and significant changes in the related meat industry, including the launch of a centralized meat processing hub in Abu Dhabi with blockchain traceability for lamb, which enhanced supply chain transparency and likely affected the flow of raw skins.

Production raw sheep and lamb skins in Western Asia

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

Western Asia's production of raw sheep and lamb skins has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 185.8 thousand tons, marking a significant 12.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, raw sheep and lamb skins production in Western Asia rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 365.9 million US dollars, representing a sharp 27.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production decreased by 7.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 287.3 million US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 25.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw sheep and lamb skins from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of raw sheep and lamb skins from Western Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 11 400 tons, up 13.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 55.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 6 756 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 8.1%. In contrast, the biggest increase happened in 2019 with a 49.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for raw sheep and lamb skins from Western Asia was diverse. India accounted for 13.0% of exports in volume, Pakistan for 11.9%, and Italy for 5.0%, together making up just 29.9% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares, indicating a broad distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of raw sheep and lamb skins from Western Asia rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 22 449 thousand US dollars, a 28.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 15.9%, with an average annual rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 637 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 34.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 38.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia was the top buyer of raw sheep and lamb skins from Western Asia in value terms, accounting for 17.2% of exports, followed by India at 15.6% and Italy at 13.7%. Together, these three countries contributed 46.5% of total export value, highlighting a diversified structure with many other markets involved.

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

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

Imports raw sheep and lamb skins to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Western Asia declined in 2020. The region imported 48 051 tons, a 24.2% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.2%, with an average annual growth of 4.8%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 63 352 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 31.2% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of raw sheep and lamb skins to Western Asia were relatively evenly distributed. The United Kingdom accounted for 19.9% of imports in volume, South Africa for 6.1%, and Greece for 6.0%, together representing only 32.0% of total flows, with numerous other countries contributing smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of raw sheep and lamb skins into Western Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 40 834 thousand US dollars, a sharp 43.9% contraction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 34.3%, with an average annual decline of 13.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 79 097 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 27.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, raw sheep and lamb skins were supplied to Western Asia from many different markets. Even the largest sources—Spain, South Africa, and the United Kingdom—combined for only 31.6% of total imports in value terms, underscoring a highly diversified import structure.

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

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