Raw Hides and Skins Market Size - By Product, Type, Technology, Application, Application Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Raw Hides and Skins Market Size

The global raw hides and skins market was estimated at USD 94.3 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 100.4 billion in 2025 to USD 178.8 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.6%.
 

The growth of the raw hides and skins market is due to the growth in demand for leather products such as garments, shoes, furniture, and other accessories as well as the use of expensive leather goods. The market showed steady expansion along with the leather industry growth was dominant in the sector of raw hides and skins. The world's production of raw hides in 2023 was about 21 million metric tons with cattle hides making up about 60% of the total.
 

This figure is due to the high cattle husbandry shifting economic activities to the North America, Brazil and Australia regions. There is a large share of the cattle farming lands in North America, Brazil, and Australia which serves as the economic backbone.
 

As far as the leather products market is concerned, Europe and North America are the leading consumers of leather products and hence create demand for raw hides.
 

Europe contributed 25% the same year and had major influence from Italy Spain and France which were active in leather industry. The Asia Pacific region especially China and India are increasingly using Hides and Skins.
 

The development of substitutes is drastically shifting the raw hides and skins market. Consumers continue to prefer traditional leather goods due to their classic style, lasting appeal, and premium feel, making synthetic leather capture only 15 to 20 percent of the entire leather goods market. On the other hand, some regions are attempting to control these harmful activities with more stringent policies, considering the impact on the environment and the sustainability of the leather industry.
 

Focusing on the technology market segmentation, the most striking is that of machines pulled hides which commanded around 75 percent of the market share in 2024. This technique is simpler to implement on a larger scale, particularly in commercial leather production. The growing share of large dominating tanneries is expected to sustain the machine pulled efficiency advantages. High end leather goods supplied have Hand flayed hides, which constitute nearly 25 percent.
 

The raw hides and skins market is expected to continue increasing with the demand for leather in emerging markets as well as improvements in tanning technology. Moreover, the attention given to environmentally friendly practices in leather production like vegetable tanning will further impact the market’s direction beneficially. In summary, the market will continue expanding because of the evergreen need for leather goods along with new innovations improving the production’s eco-friendliness and efficiency.
 

Raw Hides and Skins Market Trends

Raw hides and skins come from the unrefined outer covering of animals like cattle, buffalos and other livestock. It is crucial to obtain these raw materials in the production of leather, which is later used in various sectors including fashion, footwear, and automotive.
 

With the expanding demand for apparel and leather accessories as well as for use in automobiles, the main global raw hides and skins industry are on the rise. People are now more willing to spend on luxurious goods which are of high quality, and hence leather products have become more popular due to their texture and durability.
 

Leather apparel, handbags, and accessories have dominated the high-end sectors of the fashion market, and there is more leather being used than ever before for automobile interiors. Growth in these markets is expected to continue all over the world and in developing countries, which is parallel to the increasing demand for raw hides and skins market.
 

The increase in demand for raw hides is further supported by the expansion of the global footwear industry, growing with developing regions. There is an increased negation towards the use of synthetic materials in leather footwear, and as people start making more money in India, China and Brazil, the demand for these complements will continue to grow. This will further lead to an increased consumption of raw hides in manufacturing leather shoes and boots.


Also, premium products such as those made from sustainable leather are gaining a lot of attention in the raw hides and skins market. They tend to prefer leather made from raw materials like vegetables and other naturally sourced materials which are far less harmful to the environment than chemicals used in the tanning process. The eco-friendly movement towards premium leather is further increasing the high-quality raw hides market along with the set standards for sustainability.
 

The growing demand in the North America and Europe regions for automotive leather products like the seats, steering wheels and interiors is also impacting the leather upholstered vehicles market. Luxury vehicles require a lot of raw hides, which is gradually increasing the supply and demand need to be raw materials. All these considerations are still developing the market.
 

Raw Hides and Skins Market Analysis

The global market is witnessing several key trends that are shaping its future. The more reputed and classified materials employed alongside chemically processed synthetic textiles in accent furniture are driving innovations in efficient animal waste utilization.
 

Custom and bespoke furniture made from animal leather involves proprietary methods interwoven with contemporary and classic design philosophy. However, natural leather is still preferred in high value-added products due to its appeal and softness.
 

Along with this, the raw hides and skins market undertakes a shift in hides towards automation processes which are increasingly favorable economically for mass production, especially with the advent of machine-processed pulling systems. The accompanying trends in urban regions, especially concerning the Asia Pacific, highly accelerate the consumption of leather in vehicle upholstery thus significantly increasing the demand.
 

The cattle hides segment was valued at USD 51.6 billion in 2024, and it is anticipated to expand to 6.5% of CAGR during 2025-2034.
 

The cattle hides segment remains the largest part of the raw hides and skins market, and amazing revenue comes from this market. Revenues of the market are expected to reach as their availability and quality are superior. Durability and thickness of cattle hides makes them highly preferred in the leather industry for products like footwear, upholstery, and high-end fashion, which are made from leather.
 

This is due to the large-scale cattle farming industry in North America, Brazil, and Australia which are some of the main players in cattle farming. Cattle hides are a dependable source owing to the ever-growing global demand for leather goods in automobile and footwear industries. The demand and supply of cattle hides is abundant.
 

The cattle hides, though more dominant economically, are still considered primitive when compared to buffalo hides. Owning to its growing popularity in India and Pakistan, it has not yet reached the peak of market abundance.
 

Horse hides are highly favored for leather products, but due to limited availability and high costs, they are considered a niche item. These horse hides fall into the lower classification and so do the others category which belong to goat, sheep, and pig hides. They serve specialized leathers and aid in lesser scale production.
 

Due to the constant manufacture of leather products and the increasing demand internationally, the cattle hide region market will continue expanding.
 

The clothing application segment was valued at USD 38.2 billion in 2024 and gained 7% CAGR from 2025 to 2034 with a market share of 40.7%.
 

The global raw hides and skins market is estimated by the clothing segment due to the high requirement of raw material for leather garments. The clothing industry is fueled by the widespread use of leather jackets, trousers, skirts, and other accessories which potentiate and reflect the sensibilities of modern fashion, luxury, and aesthetics.
 

Along with the growth of upper class and mid-class markets, there is an observable increase in the use of leather in fashion collections by contemporary brands which is further supporting the fashion industry’s need for raw materials for hides and skins.
 

In addition, other factors which are emerging are focused on sustainability and support eco-friendly fashion which helps the leather clothing industry. Leather is known to be long lasting and considered as an essential evergreen asset whereas its elegant appeal makes it a smart go to material selection for many. Therefore, the market for clothing is growing especially for upper class markets as well as advancing economies where it is expected to rise along with the demand for quality leather apparel.
 

Even though shoes, boots, and sandals do form an important segment, they are of less importance than leather working dress shoes and leather footwear. However, the segment is competing with lower cost socially responsible alternatives made from non-leather materials.
 

• For instance, Hides and skins are primarily used in the production of clothing, such as coats, hats, and gloves, valued for their warmth and status. Leather from hides is used for shoes, clothing, upholstery, and accessories. Fur from animals like mink and rabbit is popular in fashion items. Additionally, processed hides are used for horse tack, harnesses, and even wall coverings.
   

Upholstery and Other applications continue growing at a steady pace most notably in the automobile and furniture sectors, though these sectors make up a smaller share than clothing and footwear. Leather is versatile in nature which makes it useful across these sectors. In the foreseeable future, demand for leather apparel ensures the availability of products for a long time.
 

• Manufacturers like Buckskin Leather Co. provide untanned animal skins, usually from cattle, deer, elk, buffalo, and goats, compose rawhide leather. It is non-tanned leather that has been cleaned, de-haired, stretched, and dried which makes it very strong. While rawhide is used for many things, its applications in sub cowboy and indigenous crafts showcase its usefulness and versatility. Economy and strength construction rawhide are primarily used in making rustic decor and tack. Rawhide from deer, elk, and buffalo differ in size and thickness, enabling them to serve in making laced drums or other laced, heavy-duty equipment.

U.S. raw hides and skins market was valued at USD 21.4 billion in 2024 and expected to grow at a 6.4% CAGR from 2025-2034.
 

Demand across the automotive, fashion, and furniture industries is still high and is what drives this expansion. The U.S. leather industry is still one of the largest in the world because the country possesses premium raw hides which aid the making of high-quality leather goods, the expanding market is supported by the increased use of rawhide in traditional crafts, saddlery, and step rustic décor.
 

Demand for premium leather goods is on the rise and so is the consumer demand for durable materials for industrial applications, both factors which still support the market growth. In addition, advancements in technology for processing raw hides and skins has increased efficiency and quality making the U.S. market one of the leaders in world leather production.
 

• According to the UN COMTRADE database, the United States imported raw hides and skins (excluding furskins) and leather valued at USD 459.5 million. This underlines the consistent trend in the demand for hides and skins which provides an appealing manufacturing opportunity to obtain materials of requisite quality across a myriad of industries. This growing import market enables manufacturers to establish a dependable framework for raw material supply to produce leather items, including footwear, automotive interiors, and fashion goods, thereby maintaining the standards of quality and cost fairness.
   

Due to its developed facilities and high-capacity manufacturing plants, the U.S. dominates the North American raw hides and skins market. The US also claims a prominent spot in leather manufacturing, ensuring the provision of raw hides to local and international markets.
 

Having a strong cattle farming industry is also advantageous for the region as a constant inflow of raw materials is available for the leather industry. In addition, the projected increase of the market in the forthcoming years will be strengthened by North America’s increasing interest in eco-friendly alternatives to leather and the advancement of the tanning process.
 

• For instance, through the conversion of hides and skins into leather products, which is a byproduct of the meat industry, the U.S. leather industry facilitates sustainability in the country. This process most certainly mitigates waste while aiding the environment, alongside working within the limits of water consumption, wastewater treatment, air emissions and quality regulations, the U.S. leather industry has also surged economically with an increased focus on exports and corporate social responsibility and philanthropy.
   

Raw Hides and Skins Market Share

The market at the global level is very competitive with 5 major competitors such as Allanasons Pvt Ltd, AI Bravo Leather Industries, Sanimax Corporation, Texpac Hide & Skin Ltd., and AJHollander Enterprises Inc. All fight for supremacy. Competition is mostly focused on pricing, quality, and differentiation.
 

Businesses are trying to provide better, consistent quality hides and skins to cater to the automotive, fashion, and furniture industries. Consumers, alongside regulatory bodies, are increasingly concerned about the environment and thus, corporations are required to adopt sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly processing practices.
 

This shifts the focus towards differentiation. Besides, distribution networks are equally essential where firms strive to develop reliable global supply chains for effective regional distribution. There is also an abundance of partnerships and strategic alliances where corporations are increasing their market reach around the world to gain access to new markets. Such comprehensive shifts in competition increases the need for all companies to continuously update their offerings while sustaining low costs at the same time.
 

Trade Impact

Shifting policies on international trade and tariffs have had a major impact on the United States raw hides and skins market. For example, in 2020, U.S. exports for this market alone decreased by USD 276 million, while total exports for leather products stood at USD 894 million. Exports rose 19% in volume but fell 24% in value in terms of further volatility in price because of trade restrictions and market instability.
 

Several key export markets performed unevenly—exports to China and Hong Kong rose 41%, but the EU market fell 34%. The global hide and skin market is projected to by 2034 due to increasing advanced demand in luxury fashion and sustainable leather goods. On the other hand, these factors along with disruptions in the supply chain, stringent environmental policies, and volatility in the economy put pressure on profitability.
 

• For instance, a 10% devaluation of the currency in Ethiopia raises the cost of imports by 7.9% and the cost of exporting goods by 6.2%. Other countries like Sudan have prohibited the export of hides while countries such as Tanzania have freed the trade. The market is also expected to grow with the leather handbag market projected to reach USD 46.1 billion by 2034 as there is an increase in demand for sustainable materials and vegan leathers. One needs to tackle the effects of tariffs and their intersections with sustainability if there is to be an improvement in growth and market resilience.
   

The leather and raw hides market is looking to invest in 2025, but with major caution. Fashion and the sustainable leather market are expected to grow more in the past few years despite a trade disruption and U.S exports being USD 276 million in 2020. Emerging ESG criteria and responsible sourcing alongside liberal economies should be targeted by corporates. There is potential for growth in eco-friendly and vegan leathers but there are risks cut before US with volatility in tariffs and currency. Focused and sustainable investments have the potential for high returns alongside shifting consumer perspectives and changes in trade.
 

Raw Hides and Skins Market Companies

Major players operating in the raw hides and skins industry are:

• AJHollander Enterprises Inc.
• Allanasons Pvt Ltd
• AI Bravo Leather Industries
• BAHIRDAR Tannery
• Merpiel
• Norilia Nordic AS
• Naugra
• Rose International
• Sanimax Corporation
• Stan India
• Texpac Hide & Skin Ltd.
• J & E Sedgwick & Co. Ltd.
   

Raw Hides and Skins Industry News

• In November 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to launch a centre in 2025 to create, store, and trade raw materials for the textile and leather footwear industries. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports, improve supply chain control, and meet rules of origin in free trade agreements. The centre will be funded privately and support quality control, traceability, and technological updates for domestic businesses.
   
• In September 2024, India is expanding its Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to include toys, leather, and footwear to boost domestic manufacturing, attract investment, and reduce import dependency. The initiative targets labour-intensive sectors and aims to create jobs while enhancing export potential. The leather and footwear industries, already key contributors to India's economy, are set to benefit from infrastructure development and innovation under this scheme.
   
• In July 2023, ECCO Leather partnered with the mycelium technology leader Ecovative to develop sustainable materials for fashion, footwear, and automotive industries. The collaboration combines Ecovative’s 100% pure mycelium materials with ECCO’s innovative, low-impact tannery processes. This marks a major step toward biodegradable, plastic-free alternatives to traditional leather, aiming to scale eco-friendly products globally.
   
• In November 2022, Bangladesh's leather sector has seen significant export growth, reaching a 10-year high of USD 1.25 billion in 2022, driven by the rising global demand for leather goods, particularly footwear. Despite challenges like skill gaps and outdated infrastructure, the sector is poised to reach USD 10 billion in exports by 2030, with shifting global sourcing away from China and Vietnam providing a major opportunity for growth. Key issues include the need for better raw material quality and compliance with international sustainability standards.
   

This raw hides and skins market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Kilo Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Cattle hides
  • Full grain leather
  • Top grain leather
  • Genuine leather
  • Split leather 
• Buffalo hides
  • Full grain leather
  • Top grain leather
  • Split leather
• Horse hides
  • Horse leather (chrome-tanned)
  • Horse leather (vegetable tanned)
  • Horse hides suede
• Others

Market, By Type

• Natural
• Synthetic

Market, By Technology

• Machine pulled
• Hand-flayed

Market, By Application

• Clothing
• Footwear
• Upholstery
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa