EU: Market for Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals 2025

Market Size for Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals in the EU

In 2021, the EU bovine and equine leather market decreased by -16.2% to $X, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals in the EU

In value terms, bovine and equine leather production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 21%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

Exports in the EU

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of leather of bovine and equine animals, when their volume increased by 14% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a mild slump. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a noticeable descent. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 65% of total exports in 2021. Poland (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 6.1% share, followed by Germany (5.5%) and Spain (5.5%). Austria (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of leather of bovine and equine animals. At the same time, Poland (+7.6%) and Spain (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +7.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Slovakia (-3.4%), the Netherlands (-4.4%), France (-4.9%), Austria (-5.1%) and Germany (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Poland (+3.4 p.p.) and Italy (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Germany saw its share reduced by -3.3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the largest bovine and equine leather supplier in the European Union, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 9.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Italy stood at -2.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-5.6% per year) and Spain (-1.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 7.8% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Austria ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

Imports in the EU

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of leather of bovine and equine animals, when their volume increased by 7.3% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 66% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tons), mixing up an 8.1% share of total imports. The following importers - Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Romania (X tons) and France (X tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of leather of bovine and equine animals. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Portugal (-1.4%), Poland (-1.7%), France (-3.4%), Romania (-6.0%) and Germany (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Italy (+4.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Germany (-2.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported leather of bovine and equine animals in the European Union, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 9.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8.3% share.

In Italy, bovine and equine leather imports contracted by an average annual rate of -5.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-7.6% per year) and Poland (-3.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a perceptible decrease. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 France ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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