Wet blue cattle leather (full grain) exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of wet blue cattle leather (full grain) by South Africa reached $17.6 million in 2024 (11.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 15% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $54.4 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 | $17.6M | 11.3K t |
| 2023 | $17.6M | 11.1K t |
| 2022 | $28.9M | 16.2K t |
| 2021 | $24.3M | 13.6K t |
| 2020 | $21.7M | 15.0K t |
| 2019 | $29.4M | 18.8K t |
| 2018 | $38.1M | 19.3K t |
| 2017 | $54.4M | 25.6K t |
Where South Africa exports wet blue cattle leather (full grain) to
The largest buyer markets were Vietnam (27%), China (22%), Italy (16%). Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest (+344% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $4.7M | 27% |
| China | $3.9M | 22% |
| Italy | $2.8M | 16% |
| Mexico | $2.2M | 13% |
| India | $1.9M | 11% |
| Namibia | $1.1M | 6.2% |
| Taiwan | $449K | 2.6% |
| Spain | $166K | 0.9% |
| Thailand | $153K | 0.9% |
| Greece | $87K | 0.5% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.56 per kg, close to the world average of $1.74.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Wet blue cattle leather (full grain) imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $761 thousand of wet blue cattle leather (full grain) in 2024 (319 tonnes). Most of the value came from Turkey (33%), Namibia (17%), Brazil (14%). Among the main suppliers, Brazil grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $252K | 33% |
| Namibia | $129K | 17% |
| Brazil | $104K | 14% |
| Italy | $97K | 13% |
| Pakistan | $87K | 12% |
| Uruguay | $84K | 11% |
| India | $9K | 1.1% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa wet blue cattle leather (full grain) exports (HS 4104.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 4104.11: Tanned or crust hides and skins: without hair on, bovine or equine, in the wet state (including wet blue), full grains, unsplit: grain splits.
Common questions
What is the value of wet blue cattle leather (full grain) exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported wet blue cattle leather (full grain) worth $17.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 93 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries buy wet blue cattle leather (full grain) from South Africa?
Vietnam was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($4.7 million), followed by China (22%) and Italy (16%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 19 buyer countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 344% on the year.
What is the average export price of wet blue cattle leather (full grain) per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.56 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $1.74 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of wet blue cattle leather (full grain) from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $54.4 million in 2017 to $17.6 million in 2024, a fall of 68%. The peak was 2017 at $54.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $29.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also import wet blue cattle leather (full grain)?
Yes. South Africa imported $761 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Turkey, Namibia and Brazil. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $16.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for wet blue cattle leather (full grain)?
The HS code for wet blue cattle leather (full grain) is subheading 4104.11. 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 (full grain) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.