Wet blue cattle leather exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of wet blue cattle leather by South Africa reached $14.6 million in 2024 (9.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. That is 9% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% a year on average.
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 | $14.6M | 9.1K t |
| 2023 | $16.1M | 9.8K t |
| 2022 | $13.1M | 12.8K t |
| 2021 | $13.9M | 10.8K t |
| 2020 | $9.5M | 11.2K t |
| 2019 | $8.4M | 11.8K t |
| 2018 | $15.8M | 11.8K t |
| 2017 | $8.3M | 9.0K t |
Where South Africa exports wet blue cattle leather to
The largest buyer markets were China (46%), Vietnam (28%), Australia (7%). Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.8M | 46% |
| Vietnam | $4.1M | 28% |
| Australia | $1.0M | 7% |
| Italy | $864K | 5.9% |
| India | $665K | 4.6% |
| Taiwan | $531K | 3.6% |
| Mexico | $236K | 1.6% |
| Thailand | $179K | 1.2% |
| Hong Kong | $93K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $60K | 0.4% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.59 per kg, close to the world average of $1.37.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa wet blue cattle leather exports (HS 4104.19): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 4104.19: Tanned or crust hides and skins: bovine or equine, without hair on, in the wet state (including wet blue), excluding full grains, unsplit: grain splits.
Common questions
What is the value of wet blue cattle leather exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported wet blue cattle leather worth $14.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 13th of 89 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries buy wet blue cattle leather from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 46% of the value ($6.8 million), followed by Vietnam (28%) and Australia (7%). The top three together account for 81%, out of 15 buyer countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 36% on the year.
What is the average export price of wet blue cattle leather per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.59 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $1.37 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of wet blue cattle leather from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $8.3 million in 2017 to $14.6 million in 2024, an increase of 76%. The peak was 2023 at $16.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for wet blue cattle leather?
The HS code for wet blue cattle leather is subheading 4104.19. 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 4104 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World wet blue cattle leather trade: top importers and exporters
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