Bovine and Equine Leather Market

The global market for leather of bovine and equine animals is forecasted to experience growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the period from 2022 to 2030. Consumption of leather from these animals is expected to reach 5.6B square meters by the end of 2030, with a projected market value of $25.3B. Italy, Turkey, and China are among the top consumers of leather, while Brazil, Turkey, and the United States lead in production. Imports and exports are also significant, with Italy and China being major importers, and Brazil and Italy being key exporters. Prices fluctuate across countries, with China having the highest export price in 2022. Overall, the market is expected to see growth in various aspects with some countries experiencing more significant increases than others.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for leather of bovine and equine animals worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.6B square meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $25.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

In 2022, the amount of leather of bovine and equine animals consumed worldwide stood at 4.9B square meters, almost unchanged from 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +3.8% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 7.2B square meters. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The global bovine and equine leather market value totaled $20.1B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $27.1B. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Italy (727M square meters), Turkey (657M square meters) and China (620M square meters), with a combined 41% share of global consumption. The United States, Brazil, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Mexico and Uzbekistan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +27.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest bovine and equine leather markets worldwide were Pakistan ($2.5B), Turkey ($2B) and China ($1.7B), together accounting for 31% of the global market. The United States, Vietnam, Italy, Bangladesh, India, Brazil, Mexico, Uzbekistan and Colombia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Among the main consuming countries, India, with a CAGR of +25.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of bovine and equine leather per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (12 square meters per person), Turkey (7.7 square meters per person) and Vietnam (2.8 square meters per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +26.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

In 2022, production of leather of bovine and equine animals was finally on the rise to reach 4.5B square meters after two years of decline. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 7.5B square meters. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather production rose remarkably to $18.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 13%. Global production peaked at $26.4B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Brazil (974M square meters), Turkey (661M square meters) and the United States (529M square meters), with a combined 48% share of global production. Italy, Pakistan, Australia, Colombia, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Uruguay (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

Global bovine and equine leather imports contracted to 2.6B square meters in 2022, shrinking by -9.8% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 3.6B square meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather imports shrank slightly to $11.5B in 2022. In general, imports showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $21.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

Italy (776M square meters) and China (680M square meters) represented roughly 56% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Vietnam (301M square meters), committing an 11% share of total imports. Mexico (76M square meters), Thailand (74M square meters), India (69M square meters), Spain (62M square meters) and Indonesia (61M square meters) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +13.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.9B), Italy ($1.1B) and Vietnam ($1.1B) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 35% share of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +3.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average bovine and equine leather import price stood at $4.4 per square meter in 2022, with an increase of 8% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $5.8 per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($7.3 per square meter), while Italy ($1.4 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (-0.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

In 2022, approx. 2.2B square meters of leather of bovine and equine animals were exported worldwide; declining by -10.8% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 27%. The global exports peaked at 4.1B square meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather exports reduced to $11.4B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $22.2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

Brazil represented the major exporter of leather of bovine and equine animals in the world, with the volume of exports reaching 662M square meters, which was near 30% of total exports in 2022. Italy (219M square meters) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 9.9% share, followed by Paraguay (5.1%). The United States (91M square meters), New Zealand (74M square meters), Australia (69M square meters), China (62M square meters), South Africa (54M square meters), Poland (49M square meters), Spain (47M square meters), Turkey (40M square meters), Uruguay (40M square meters) and India (35M square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of leather of bovine and equine animals. At the same time, Poland (+13.7%), China (+10.4%), Spain (+3.1%), Uruguay (+2.1%) and Paraguay (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +13.7% from 2012-2022. Australia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, India (-1.4%), New Zealand (-2.6%), Turkey (-2.7%), Italy (-3.1%), South Africa (-3.4%) and the United States (-17.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+9.7 p.p.), Paraguay (+2.3 p.p.), China (+2.1 p.p.) and Poland (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of the United States (-13.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($2.7B) remains the largest bovine and equine leather supplier worldwide, comprising 24% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($1.2B), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by China, with a 6.7% share.

In Italy, bovine and equine leather exports shrank by an average annual rate of -3.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (-5.3% per year) and China (+9.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average bovine and equine leather export price stood at $5.2 per square meter in 2022, with an increase of 5.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $5.6 per square meter in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($12 per square meter), while Paraguay ($0.6 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+18.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform