Eastern Asia: Cows Skin Market 2025

Cows Skin Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian cows skin market rose remarkably to $X in 2021, surging by 8.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cows Skin Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, cows skin production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

China (X tons) remains the largest cows skin producing country in Eastern Asia, accounting for 75% of total volume. Moreover, cows skin production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Japan (X tons), fivefold. South Korea (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +6.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+1.0% per year) and South Korea (+8.4% per year).

Cows Skin Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of raw hides and skins of bovine animals increased by 4.5% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +10.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +24.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 87%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cows skin exports totaled $X in 2021. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +8.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 90% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons) represented roughly 86% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), creating a 14% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +20.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cows skin supplying countries in Eastern Asia were China ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and Japan ($X), with a combined 100% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +9.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (-3.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cows Skin Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

After three years of decline, supplies from abroad of raw hides and skins of bovine animals increased by 19% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 56%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cows skin imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Japan represented the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 73% of total imports. It was distantly followed by China (X tons), creating a 25% share of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Japan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the raw hides and skins of bovine animals imports, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012 to 2021. Taiwan (Chinese) (-4.4%) and China (-17.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Japan (+68 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of China (-57.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported raw hides and skins of bovine animals in Eastern Asia, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with an 18% share of total imports.

In Japan, cows skin imports increased at an average annual rate of +15.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-18.3% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-21.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the import price increased by 15% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-1.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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