EU: Sheep Leather Market 2025

Sheep Leather Market Size in the EU

The EU sheep leather market soared to $X in 2021, rising by 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a strong expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sheep Leather Production in the EU

In value terms, sheep leather production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 69%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sheep Leather Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, shipments abroad of sheep or lamb skin leather was finally on the rise to reach X square meters for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X square meters. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sheep leather exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Spain represented the largest exporter of sheep or lamb skin leather in the European Union, with the volume of exports finishing at X square meters, which was near 76% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Italy (X square meters), committing a 17% share of total exports. Bulgaria (X square meters) and Greece (X square meters) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sheep leather exports from Spain stood at +7.1%. At the same time, Bulgaria (+71.0%) and Italy (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +71.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Greece (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Spain (+16 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Greece and Italy saw its share reduced by -2.3% and -3.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest sheep leather supplier in the European Union, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Spain amounted to +3.9%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (-6.3% per year) and Bulgaria (+83.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per square meter in 2021, increasing by 8.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per square meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Bulgaria ($X per square meter), while Greece ($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 Bulgaria (+7.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sheep Leather Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, overseas purchases of sheep or lamb skin leather were finally on the rise to reach X square meters for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X square meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sheep leather imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy was the major importer of sheep or lamb skin leather in the European Union, with the volume of imports accounting for X square meters, which was approx. 73% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Spain (X square meters) and France (X square meters), together creating a 19% share of total imports. Portugal (X square meters) and Poland (X square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of sheep or lamb skin leather. At the same time, Spain (+8.3%) and Portugal (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +8.3% from 2012-2021. France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-2.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Spain (+7.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Italy (-7.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sheep or lamb skin leather in the European Union, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Italy stood at -1.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+7.1% per year) and France (+1.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per square meter in 2021, surging by 8.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 12%. The level of import peaked at $X per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 France ($X per square meter), while Poland ($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 France (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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