MERCOSUR: Cows Skin Market 2025

Cows Skin Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR cows skin market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cows Skin Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, cows skin production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 38%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Brazil (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cows skin production, accounting for 49% of total volume. Moreover, cows skin production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Argentina (X tons), fourfold. Colombia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Brazil totaled +1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (-0.4% per year) and Colombia (+2.0% per year).

Cows Skin Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas shipments of raw hides and skins of bovine animals increased by 0.4% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after four years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 126% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cows skin exports amounted to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 124%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Venezuela (X tons) was the key exporter of raw hides and skins of bovine animals, constituting 62% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Colombia (X tons), together constituting a 28% share of total exports. The following exporters - Uruguay (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Chile (X tons) - together made up 9.9% of total exports.

Exports from Venezuela increased at an average annual rate of +9.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Chile (+11.1%) and Brazil (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Colombia (-3.1%), Uruguay (-12.7%), Peru (-12.8%) and Argentina (-15.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Venezuela (+39 p.p.) and Brazil (+3.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Peru, Uruguay and Argentina saw its share reduced by -6.3%, -7.8% and -29.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Venezuela ($X) remains the largest cows skin supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Venezuela totaled +1.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Colombia (-3.5% per year) and Argentina (-25.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 36%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Brazil ($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 (-0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cows Skin Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of raw hides and skins of bovine animals were imported in MERCOSUR; reducing by -24.1% against the year before. Overall, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 199%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cows skin imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 125% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) was the main importer of raw hides and skins of bovine animals, making up 65% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together achieving a 29% share of total imports. Colombia (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -9.7% from 2012 to 2021. Uruguay experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Colombia (-12.9%), Peru (-22.8%) and Ecuador (-22.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+19 p.p.) and Uruguay (+10 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Ecuador (-3.9 p.p.) and Peru (-26.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported raw hides and skins of bovine animals in MERCOSUR, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Peru ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 13% share.

In Brazil, cows skin imports plunged by an average annual rate of -14.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Peru (-5.3% per year) and Uruguay (-9.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 28% against the previous year. Import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 65% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the 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 Ecuador ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+22.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform