China business slows down

Normal trading was both disrupted and hampered by the run-up to the Shanghai fair and during the actual event. In both instances new business was considered to account for less than the actual number of hides produced.
Export sales of raw hides during the period under review showed China once more in their regular top position but with markedly fewer hides. China purchased 713,300 against 1,074,300 in the previous report and 1,303,000 and 1,414,700 in the two earlier reports, respectively. With Hong Kong taking 16,900 (55,200, 180,100 and 105,400) the region could only muster a combined total of 730,200 (1,129,500).
Korea was again in second place with 266,400 (257,800, 534,600, 683,500) followed by Mexico with 74,500 (84,200 (109,800). 
In fourth place Vietnam came in for 70,500 (51,600, 25,600, 83,700); followed by Taiwan with 66,200 (111,400, 92,500, 314,100).
Thailand  purchased 14,800 (64,100, 91,400);  Canada 14,400 (11,300, 14,800); Japan 12,900 (19,400, 46,800); and India 10,900 (2,500, 19,300). Italy stayed out of the market.
Sales of wet-blue for export during the period under review showed China lose first place to Mexico who took 135,900 (118,500, 109,900) against China’s 69,600 (214,000, 136,500).
Next came Taiwan with 53,800 (87,400, 2,400); then  Italy with 52,500 (30,300, 49,500);  Vietnam 25,700 (13,600, 20,500); Korea 18,000 (7,500, 12,700); the Dominican Republic 16,100 (11,300, 4,200); Japan 9,100; and Hong Kong with 8,500. Thailand were absent from the market.
Korea also contracted for 735,500lb of wet-blue splits (630,000lb) with Hong Kong
taking 539,000lb (256,000lb). There were cancellations and adjustments from China and Vietnam. Overall, wet-blue splits are losing ground.