South Africa - Leather - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
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View PricingSouth Africa's Leather Export Experiences Slight Drop, Reaching $249M in 2023
South Africa Leather Exports
In 2023, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of leather, when their volume decreased by -28.6% to 45M square meters. Over the period under review, total exports indicated slight growth from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 108%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 80M square meters. From 2015 to 2023, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, leather exports shrank to $249M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $422M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.
| COUNTRY | Export Value of Leather in South Africa (million USD) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Poland | 4.9 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 9.6 | 28.6 | 34.6 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 21.4 | 18.9 | 27.6 |
| Italy | 36.4 | 40.4 | 37.2 | 26.4 | 39.2 | 24.0 | 14.9 | 6.3 | 10.8 | 21.8 | 14.0 |
| United States | 10.2 | 8.6 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 9.9 | 12.5 | 7.0 | 10.9 | 11.6 | 13.6 |
| Mexico | 16.3 | 17.0 | 23.9 | 15.5 | 6.2 | 9.8 | 10.0 | 6.9 | 20.2 | 15.3 | 10.7 |
| France | 5.4 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 7.6 | 9.5 | 7.8 | 5.5 | 13.0 | 11.8 | 10.5 | 10.7 |
| Hungary | 2.3 | 9.4 | 1.4 | 14.7 | 7.0 | 8.2 | 7.1 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 7.6 | 9.5 |
| China | 21.5 | 27.6 | 17.8 | 17.4 | 15.5 | 18.2 | 8.9 | 6.0 | 11.3 | 8.4 | 6.7 |
| Germany | 5.6 | 12.7 | 10.7 | 12.0 | 14.9 | 19.1 | 38.4 | 35.4 | 17.9 | 14.2 | 2.8 |
| Others | 245 | 296 | 228 | 210 | 245 | 241 | 187 | 133 | 177 | 180 | 153 |
| Total | 347 | 422 | 336 | 322 | 375 | 373 | 288 | 212 | 284 | 288 | 249 |
Exports by Country
China (4.9M square meters), Italy (3.2M square meters) and Poland (1.2M square meters) were the main destinations of leather exports from South Africa, together comprising 21% of total exports.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +25.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for leather exported from South Africa were Poland ($28M), Italy ($14M) and the United States ($14M), with a combined 22% share of total exports.
Poland, with a CAGR of +18.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports by Type
Leather of bovine and equine animals (41M square meters) was the largest type of leather exported from South Africa, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, leather of bovine and equine animals exceeded the volume of the second product type, composition leather (2.8M square meters), more than tenfold. Sheep, goat, swine or reptile leather, excluding chamois leather (621K square meters) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 1.4% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of leather of bovine and equine animals exports amounted to +2.3%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: composition leather (-4.1% per year) and sheep, goat, swine or reptile leather, excluding chamois leather (-4.3% per year).
In value terms, leather with the largest exports in South Africa were leather of bovine and equine animals ($152M), sheep, goat, swine or reptile leather, excluding chamois leather ($86M) and composition leather ($11M), together comprising 99.9% of total exports.
Composition leather, with a CAGR of +15.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline.
Export Prices by Country
In 2023, the leather price stood at $5.6 per square meter (FOB, South Africa), surging by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The export price peaked at $9 per square meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($23 per square meter), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Uruguay (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the leather market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.
Product coverage:
- Prodcom 15113100 - Leather, of bovine animals, without hair, whole
- Prodcom 15113200 - Leather, of bovine animals, without hair, not whole
- Prodcom 15113300 - Leather, of equine animals, without hair
- Prodcom 15114130 - Sheep or lamb skin leather without wool on, tanned but not further prepared (excluding chamois leather)
- Prodcom 15114150 - Sheep or lamb skin leather without wool on, parchmentdressed or prepared after tanning (excluding chamois, patent, p atent laminated leather and metallised leather)
- Prodcom 15114230 - Goat or kid skin leather without hair on, tanned or pre-tanned but not further prepared (excluding chamois leather)
- Prodcom 15114250 - Goat or kid skin leather without hair on, parchment-dressed or prepared after tanning (excluding chamois leather, patent leather, patent laminated leather and metallised leather)
- Prodcom 15114330 - Leather of swine without hair on, tanned but not further prepared
- Prodcom 15114350 - Leather of swine without hair on, parchment-dressed or prepared after tanning (excluding patent leather, patent laminated leather and metallised leather)
- Prodcom 15115100 - Leather of other animals, without hair on
- Prodcom 15112100 - Chamois leather and combination chamois leather
- Prodcom 15112200 - Patent leather, patent laminated leather and metallised leather
- Prodcom 15115200 - Composition leather with a basis of leather or leather fibre, in slabs, sheets or strips
Country coverage:
- South Africa
Data coverage:
- Market volume and value
- Per Capita consumption
- Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
- Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
- Export and import prices
- Market trends, drivers and restraints
- Key market players and their profiles
Reasons to buy this report:
- Take advantage of the latest data
- Find deeper insights into current market developments
- Discover vital success factors affecting the market
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.
In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- How to prepare your business for global expansion
While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- MARKET STRUCTURE
- TRADE BALANCE
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
- MOST TRADED PRODUCT
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
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5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
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6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO -
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
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LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- Production Volume And Growth
- Exports And Growth
- Export Prices And Growth
- Market Size And Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports And Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
