Africa: Market for Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals 2025

Market Size for Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals in Africa

After two years of growth, the African bovine and equine leather market decreased by -3.2% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals in Africa

In value terms, bovine and equine leather production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of leather of bovine and equine animals increased by 35% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 49%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the largest exporter of leather of bovine and equine animals in Africa, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 47% of total exports in 2021. Kenya (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 23% share, followed by Uganda (6.4%), Egypt (5.7%) and Algeria (4.7%). Morocco (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of leather of bovine and equine animals. At the same time, Malawi (+19.9%) and Morocco (+6.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malawi emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +19.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Algeria (-1.8%), Kenya (-5.5%), Uganda (-8.6%) and Egypt (-12.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+16 p.p.), Morocco (+2.4 p.p.) and Malawi (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Uganda (-2.7 p.p.) and Egypt (-6.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest bovine and equine leather supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Egypt ($X) and Morocco ($X), with a combined 81% share of total exports. Kenya, Algeria, Uganda and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Malawi, with a CAGR of +20.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the export price increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Egypt ($X per ton), while Malawi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+13.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

Imports in Africa

After three years of decline, overseas purchases of leather of bovine and equine animals increased by 2.1% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 9.8%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather imports declined slightly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 20%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) were the major importers of leather of bovine and equine animals in Africa, together finishing at near 64% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Morocco (X tons), generating a 16% share of total imports. Kenya (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported leather of bovine and equine animals in Africa, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Morocco ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 17% share.

In Tunisia, bovine and equine leather imports shrank by an average annual rate of -3.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Morocco (-3.3% per year) and South Africa (-9.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, falling by -4.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 10%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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