Africa: Composition Leather Market 2025

Composition Leather Market Size in Africa

The African composition leather market fell significantly to $X in 2021, shrinking by -22.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a pronounced setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Composition Leather Production in Africa

In value terms, composition leather production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Composition Leather Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X square meters of composition leather were exported in Africa; with an increase of 55% compared with the year before. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 103%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X square meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, composition leather exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 149% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, recording X square meters, which was approx. 94% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Zambia (X square meters) and Tanzania (X square meters) - together made up 4.6% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to composition leather exports from South Africa stood at -2.8%. At the same time, Tanzania (+71.4%) and Zambia (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +71.4% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia increased by +8.7, +1.5 and +1.5 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest composition leather supplier in Africa, comprising 99% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 0.3% share of total exports.

In South Africa, composition leather exports increased at an average annual rate of +25.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (+3.3% per year) and Tanzania (+50.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per square meter in 2021, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 160% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per square meter), while Tanzania ($X per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+29.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Composition Leather Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of composition leather decreased by -80.7% to X square meters, falling for the second year in a row after eight years of growth. Overall, imports, however, posted a temperate expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 248%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X square meters. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, composition leather imports fell significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 58%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Nigeria was the main importing country with an import of about X square meters, which accounted for 53% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Lesotho (X square meters), Madagascar (X square meters), Morocco (X square meters), South Africa (X square meters) and Ghana (X square meters), together committing a 36% share of total imports. Tunisia (X square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Madagascar (+37.5%), Lesotho (+28.1%) and Morocco (+4.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +37.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-2.4%), Ghana (-12.9%) and Tunisia (-18.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+19 p.p.), Lesotho (+12 p.p.) and Madagascar (+6.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-2.6 p.p.), Tunisia (-16.3 p.p.) and Ghana (-16.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Lesotho ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported composition leather in Africa, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 7.5% share.

In Lesotho, composition leather imports expanded at an average annual rate of +33.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nigeria (+2.5% per year) and Tunisia (-25.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per square meter in 2021, surging by 193% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a deep slump. The level of import peaked at $X per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Lesotho ($X per square meter), while Nigeria ($X per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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