Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Raw Hides And Skins of Cattle 2025

Market Size for Raw Hides And Skins of Cattle in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the Latin American cattle hide and skin market was finally on the rise to reach $X after seven years of decline. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible curtailment. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Raw Hides And Skins of Cattle in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, cattle hide and skin production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production faced a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 23%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cattle hide and skin production was Brazil (X tons), accounting for 43% of total volume. Moreover, cattle hide and skin production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Argentina (X tons), twofold. Mexico (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Brazil was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Argentina (+1.6% per year) and Mexico (+1.8% per year).

In 2021, the average cattle hide and skin yield in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled X kg per head, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the cattle hide and skin yield attained the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for cattle hide and skin production in Latin America and the Caribbean; reducing by -2.7% against the year before. In general, the number of producing animals recorded a slight setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the number of producing animals increased by 3.4% against the previous year. As a result, the amount of animals produced attained the peak level of X heads. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of this number failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Raw Hides And Skins of Cattle

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas shipments of raw hides and skins of cattle increased by 62% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 66% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cattle hide and skin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina was the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which accounted for 52% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Chile (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 18% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons), Venezuela (X tons), Brazil (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons), Bolivia (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Argentina was also the fastest-growing in terms of the raw hides and skins of cattle exports, with a CAGR of +124.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bolivia (+20.9%), Chile (+20.4%), Uruguay (+17.4%), Brazil (+10.6%), Costa Rica (+6.0%) and the Dominican Republic (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Nicaragua (-1.9%), Colombia (-7.0%), Guatemala (-7.2%) and Venezuela (-13.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Argentina (+52 p.p.), Uruguay (+6.2 p.p.), Chile (+2.9 p.p.) and Bolivia (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia and Venezuela saw its share reduced by -1.9%, -3.7%, -12%, -12.5% and -23% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest cattle hide and skin supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 45% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uruguay ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 6.5% share.

In Argentina, cattle hide and skin exports increased at an average annual rate of +96.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uruguay (+8.8% per year) and Colombia (-12.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, rising by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt slump. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 Colombia ($X per ton), while Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (-5.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Raw Hides And Skins of Cattle

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of raw hides and skins of cattle increased by 78% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cattle hide and skin imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Mexico represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 60% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), creating a 33% share of total imports. Paraguay (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Paraguay (with a CAGR of +124.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported raw hides and skins of cattle in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 28% share of total imports.

In Mexico, cattle hide and skin imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+48.5% per year) and Paraguay (+164.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+17.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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