South Africa: Sheepskin And Lambskin Market 2025

Sheepskin And Lambskin Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African sheepskin and lambskin market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, showed a deep reduction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sheepskin And Lambskin Production in South Africa

In value terms, sheepskin and lambskin production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 76%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) in South Africa shrank modestly to X kg per head in 2022, with a decrease of -4.7% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 12%. The sheepskin and lambskin yield peaked at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for sheepskin and lambskin production in South Africa rose notably to X heads, picking up by 5.3% against 2021 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for sheepskin and lambskin production peaked at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Sheepskin And Lambskin Exports

Exports from South Africa

Sheepskin and lambskin exports from South Africa contracted to X tons in 2022, declining by -9.7% against 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, saw a slight expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 211%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sheepskin and lambskin exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 109% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons), China (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main destinations of sheepskin and lambskin exports from South Africa, together accounting for 97% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +79.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for sheepskin and lambskin exported from South Africa were Turkey ($X), China ($X) and France ($X), together accounting for 97% of total exports.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +79.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sheepskin and lambskin export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -7.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Turkey (+0.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sheepskin And Lambskin Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) decreased by -95.2% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports saw a dramatic decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 708% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sheepskin and lambskin imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports faced a precipitous contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 362% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Namibia (X tons) was the main sheepskin and lambskin supplier to South Africa, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Namibia stood at -46.1%.

In value terms, Namibia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) to South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Namibia stood at -49.5%.

Import Prices by Country

The average sheepskin and lambskin import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -41.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Namibia.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Australia amounted to -4.1% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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