Latin America and the Caribbean: Sheep Leather Market 2025

Sheep Leather Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American sheep leather market surged to $X in 2021, growing by 20% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -14.0% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sheep Leather Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, sheep leather production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -14.6% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Sheep Leather Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the amount of sheep or lamb skin leather exported in Latin America and the Caribbean skyrocketed to X square meters, jumping by 39% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sheep leather exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico was the key exporting country with an export of around X square meters, which finished at 43% of total exports. Brazil (X square meters) took a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Chile (15%) and the Dominican Republic (7.9%). Bolivia (X square meters), Uruguay (X square meters) and Argentina (X square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +19.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest sheep leather supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Chile, with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil totaled -7.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (-6.2% per year) and Chile (-5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per square meter in 2021, waning by -17% against the previous year. Export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per square meter in 2020, and then declined sharply in the following year.

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 Brazil ($X per square meter), while Chile ($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 Brazil (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sheep Leather Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the amount of sheep or lamb skin leather imported in Latin America and the Caribbean surged to X square meters, with an increase of 134% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports showed mild growth. The volume of import peaked at X square meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sheep leather imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 136%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil dominates imports structure, finishing at X square meters, which was near 77% of total imports in 2021. Mexico (X square meters) took a 7.8% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Guatemala (5.4%). The following importers - Ecuador (X square meters) and the Dominican Republic (X square meters) - each recorded an 8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sheep leather imports into Brazil stood at +5.8%. At the same time, Guatemala (+44.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guatemala emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +44.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Mexico (-2.8%), the Dominican Republic (-3.3%) and Ecuador (-12.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+27 p.p.) and Guatemala (+5.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of the Dominican Republic (-1.8 p.p.), Mexico (-3.2 p.p.) and Ecuador (-10.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sheep or lamb skin leather in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 75% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Dominican Republic ($X), with an 8.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Dominican Republic (-4.6% per year) and Mexico (-6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per square meter, declining by -7.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per square meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat 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 the Dominican Republic ($X per square meter), while Guatemala ($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 the Dominican Republic (-1.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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