Table V: Raw Hides and Skins: Structure of World Trade

1/Wet Salted Weight
2/Dry weight without wool
3/Dry weight
Note: - signifies net exports, + net imports

Theoretically, net trade at the global level should be zero, but in practice due to shipping time and reporting discrepancies the difference can be significant.

Notes to Table V

Developing countries became net importers of raw bovine hides and skins in the early seventies, having been net exporters to the tune of 165 000 tonnes in the late sixties. Net imports of developing countries increased from 214 000 tonnes in the early eighties to 842 000 in the late nineties reflecting the dramatic expansion in tanning capacity in most developing countries, especially in the Far East and Latin America. In the Far East region, the fast-growing net imports were initially to those newly industrialized countries (NICs) with very limited raw material resources. However, some leather producing countries with an ample raw material base, such as India, Pakistan and Thailand, are also importing considerable volumes of raw hides.

Conversely, the role of developed countries has changed from that of net importer to net exporter of cattlehides, reflecting a rise in exports from Oceania in previous decades, coupled with reduced net import requirements in Europe. The area of the former USSR has become a net exporter in recent years.

A structural change has also taken place in international trade of raw sheepskins and goatskins. As regards sheepskins, developing countries became net importers in the late -nineties. While they are still net exporters of goatskins, net export availabilities have fallen, reflecting a higher rate of domestic processing. Conversely, the developed countries as a whole are now shipping more sheepskins than they buy on the international market. Their net imports of goatskins have been greatly reduced.