South Africa: Sheepskin And Lambskin Market 2025

Sheepskin And Lambskin Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African sheepskin and lambskin market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption saw a deep reduction. Sheepskin and lambskin consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sheepskin And Lambskin Production in South Africa

In value terms, sheepskin and lambskin production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 119%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) in South Africa expanded remarkably to X kg per head in 2021, picking up by 7.5% on 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average sheepskin and lambskin yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for sheepskin and lambskin production in South Africa; with a decrease of -9.5% on the year before. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals saw a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 17%. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Sheepskin And Lambskin Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) decreased by -4% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sheepskin and lambskin exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 157% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for sheepskin and lambskin exports from South Africa, accounting for a 62% share of total exports. Moreover, sheepskin and lambskin exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Turkey (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Italy (X tons), with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China stood at +9.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+28.8% per year) and Italy (-8.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for sheep or lamb skins (without wool) exports from South Africa, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +2.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (-15.0% per year) and Turkey (+5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sheepskin and lambskin export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 22% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 92%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (-6.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sheepskin And Lambskin Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) decreased by -63.6% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports faced a precipitous descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 100% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sheepskin and lambskin imports reduced dramatically to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a sharp curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 113%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Australia (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Italy (X kg) were the main suppliers of sheepskin and lambskin imports to South Africa, with a combined 89% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of -12.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Australia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sheep or lamb skins (without wool) to South Africa, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 29% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Australia amounted to -13.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Namibia (-43.2% per year) and Italy (-49.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sheepskin and lambskin import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 23% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 94%. The import price peaked at $X per ton 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 supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+12.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :