Europe: Market for Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals 2025

Market Size for Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals in Europe

In 2021, the Europe bovine and equine leather market decreased by -11.2% to $X, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild curtailment. 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 Europe

In value terms, bovine and equine leather production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 20%. 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 Europe

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of leather of bovine and equine animals increased by 17% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a pronounced shrinkage. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a pronounced descent. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Italy dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 57% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Spain (X tons), together comprising a 15% share of total exports. Ukraine (X tons), the UK (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Austria (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Russia (X tons), France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) took a minor 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%), Belgium (+5.7%) and Spain (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +7.6% from 2012-2021. Belarus experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Ukraine (-1.6%), Slovakia (-3.4%), the UK (-3.7%), the Netherlands (-4.4%), France (-4.9%), Austria (-5.1%), Germany (-6.6%) and Russia (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Italy (+5 p.p.) and Poland (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Germany and Russia saw its share reduced by -2.7% and -3.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the largest bovine and equine leather supplier in Europe, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Italy stood at -2.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-5.6% per year) and Spain (-1.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum 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 ($X per ton), while Belarus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+5.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Leather of Bovine and Equine Animals

Imports in Europe

After three years of decline, overseas purchases of leather of bovine and equine animals increased by 8.7% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bovine and equine leather imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a perceptible slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 60% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tons), creating a 7.4% share of total imports. Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons), Portugal (X tons), the UK (X tons), Romania (X tons), France (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of leather of bovine and equine animals. At the same time, the UK (+5.5%) and Ukraine (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the UK emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +5.5% from 2012-2021. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, 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 (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Germany (-2.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported leather of bovine and equine animals in Europe, comprising 23% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 7.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 6.9% share.

In Italy, bovine and equine leather imports shrank 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

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a perceptible setback. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform