Finished cattle leather exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $89.4 million of finished cattle leather in 2024 (3.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 8% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $128.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $89.4M | 3.4K t |
| 2023 | $82.9M | 3.4K t |
| 2022 | $79.4M | 3.2K t |
| 2021 | $128.2M | 4.7K t |
| 2020 | $79.8M | 3.3K t |
| 2019 | $64.4M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $100.4M | 3.8K t |
| 2017 | $81.9M | 4.6K t |
Where South Africa exports finished cattle leather to
Most of it went to Poland (46%), Ukraine (21%), Hungary (20%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+127% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $41.3M | 46% |
| Ukraine | $18.6M | 21% |
| Hungary | $17.6M | 20% |
| Germany | $5.3M | 5.9% |
| France | $1.0M | 1.1% |
| Hong Kong | $961K | 1.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $743K | 0.8% |
| China | $719K | 0.8% |
| Mexico | $668K | 0.8% |
| Lesotho | $499K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 4107
| 4107.92 | Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on… | 46% |
| 4107.12 | Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without… | 40% |
| 4107.19 | Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on… | 11% |
| 4107.99 | Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, incl. parchment-dressed, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, no hair, excluding… | 1.8% |
| 4107.11 | Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without… | 1.7% |
| 4107.91 | Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on… | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4107.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $25.99 per kg, 40% above the world average of $18.50. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Finished cattle leather imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $20.8 million of finished cattle leather in 2024 (2.0 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Italy (41%), Namibia (29%), India (11%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+59% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $8.4M | 41% |
| Namibia | $6.0M | 29% |
| India | $2.4M | 11% |
| China | $1.6M | 7.6% |
| Brazil | $749K | 3.6% |
| Pakistan | $726K | 3.5% |
| Spain | $553K | 2.7% |
| Austria | $159K | 0.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $97K | 0.5% |
| Uruguay | $34K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 4107: Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, whether or not split, other than leather of heading 41.14.
Common questions
What is the value of finished cattle leather exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported finished cattle leather worth $89.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 19th of 146 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries buy finished cattle leather from South Africa?
Poland was the largest buyer with 46% of the value ($41.3 million), followed by Ukraine (21%) and Hungary (20%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 54 buyer countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 206% on the year.
What is the average export price of finished cattle leather per kg?
The average declared export value was about $25.99 per kg in 2024, 40% above the world average of $18.50 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of finished cattle leather from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $81.9 million in 2017 to $89.4 million in 2024, an increase of 9%. The peak was 2021 at $128.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import finished cattle leather?
Yes. South Africa imported $20.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Italy, Namibia and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $68.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for finished cattle leather?
The HS code for finished cattle leather is heading 4107. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4107.92 (46% of the value) and 4107.12 (40%). It sits in HS chapter 41 (raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4107 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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