- Prices are on the up againFirst published in January 2010Published: 11 March, 2010
After a sharp run up in prices over two months, steer prices in America finally reached a plateau by the first week of December.
Prices on heavy Texas steers topped at $65 but only in small numbers as most trades took place at a peak of $64. Jumbo Texas averaging between 74-78 lb sold first at $67 in late November but levelled off at $66 by the first week of the month. Prices on a c&f basis struggled to surpass $70.
Branded steers, the second most voluminously produced selection sold at a top of $63-$64 and only in a few instances managed anything over $69 c&f. - Hide price crash fails to materialiseFirst published in January 2010Published: 11 March, 2010
Previous fears of a crash in hide prices were unfounded as the hide market continued to surge forward during November and December. Indeed hide prices are now higher than before the last crash with no apparent end in sight to the price increases.
- Beef production still in declineFirst published in January 2010Published: 11 March, 2010
Excluding the week of the Thanksgiving holiday and using four full week figures to December 5, 2009, the average weekly Federally Inspected Slaughter amounted 629,000 head (640,750 in our previous report). Last year the average for the time of year was 624,750. Overall, slaughter was down 3.9% on the previous year.
- Overall slaughter decreasesOriginally published in November 2009Published: 11 January, 2010
Federally Inspected Slaughter in the four week period ended October 31, 2009, amounted to an average weekly kill of 640,750 (651,250 in our previous report). Last year the average for the month was 639,250.
- Kill increase fails to materialiseOriginally published in November 2009Published: 11 January, 2010
The anticipated increase in kill in the UK and Ireland failed to materialise, catching everybody by surprise. It appears that slaughterers were only buying cattle to cover their sales and were not building up any stock in their freezers.
- Prices are on the up againOriginally published in November 2009Published: 11 January, 2010
Steer prices rose 15% since our last report and cows, while not quite so popular, gained traction as well. During the last week of October, Heavy Texas, butt branded, branded and native steers advanced between $2-$4 as over sold producers forced Asian tanners in need of inventory to meet their demands.
- Hide and Skin – What’s in it for you? Inter-fibrilliary matterFirst published July 09Published: 24 November, 2009
By Amanda Michel of Leather Wise
This is the last in a series of articles that have discussed the composition of the hides and skins that we use for making leather and what the implications are of that composition for the tanner. In this article inter-fibrilliary matter is discussed - Hide and Skin – What’s In It For You? Hair and hair folliclesFirst published in June 09Published: 23 November, 2009
By Amanda Michel of Leather Wise
- Hide and Skin – What’s In It For You?First published in May 09Published: 18 November, 2009
By Amanda Michel of Leather Wise
- A shift in direction for US hide pricesPublished in October 09Published: 18 November, 2009
The market has changed direction since the last report. After reaching a peak in the fourteen days leading up to the Shanghai leather fair in the first days of September, steer prices fell with cows showing weakness as well.
- Chinese buyers stand backPublished in October 09Published: 18 November, 2009
The Shanghai Fair this year was very interesting as Chinese buyers decided that the market had become over cooked, and consequently they stood back to see what would happen.
- China business slows downPublished in October 09Published: 18 November, 2009
Federally Inspected Slaughter in the four week period ended September 5, 2009, amounted to an average weekly kill of 651,250 (627,000 in our previous report). Last year the average for the month was 639,250.
- Price rises in all US categoriesPublished in September 09Published: 18 November, 2009
Prices rose on all categories since our last report as the rapid run up on prices seen in July continued into August. After closing at the end of July at $53, heavy Texas steers advanced subsequently, albeit in limited volume due to sellers only offering sparingly, if at all. Prices seen on a c&f basis were as high as $63. However, they appeared to be much lower than normal due to a lack of offerings.
- Sharp declines fearedPublished in September 09Published: 18 November, 2009
The interest in hides from China has continued right through the summer with demand across the whole weight spectrum. A huge demand for 46kg+ has also been seen which is surprising as this is a weight of hides not normally sold in China in large numbers. This has caused prices to move on sharply again and as always with such steep increases in hide prices there is the fear that sharp declines could be just around the corner.
- FIS figures down 5.1%Published in September 09Published: 18 November, 2009
Federally Inspected Slaughter in the four week period ended August 7, 2009, amounted to an average weekly kill of 627,000 (655,500 in our previous report). This was down 5.1% on the previous year when the weekly kill averaged out at 670,750.
- Price advance on all selectionsPublished in July 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Prices on all selections advanced since our last report. Producers kept selling into already very far forward sold positions forcing buyers to pay more if they wanted to secure product.
Packer offerings were less than plentiful in June due to their over-sold position. Buyer interest was good, but generally several dollars below established prices. - A wave of Chinese interestPublished in July 09Published: 17 November, 2009
There has been a flurry of interest in hides from China during the last few weeks that is not replicated in other markets. This interest has been for hides for prompt shipment and there is fascinating speculation as to what is behind it.
- FIS figures rally slightlyPublished in July 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Federally Inspected Slaughter in the four week period ended June 20, 2009, amounted to an average weekly kill of 655,500 (658,500 in our previous report). This was down 5.3% on the previous year when the weekly kill averaged out at 673,000 (down 6% compared with a month earlier).
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in US feedlots with a capacity of 1,000+ head of cattle totalled 10.4 million on June 1, 2009. This was 4% down on June 1, 2008. - Don Ohsman's view from AmericaPublished in June 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Exports remain healthy as a percentage of slaughter which can be construed as a sign of how low tanners’ inventories in the Far East had been for US hides. Hide prices jumped in May. However, as the month came to a close, buyer interest narrowed and slowed as the number of hides changing hands appeared to be fewer than those produced.
As of mid May, the total combined raw and wet-blue outstanding orders still to be filled totalled 7,440,500 pieces. This again surpasses the previous record of 7,227,600 set a week ago and 6,573,400 the week before that. Combined raw and wet-blue outstanding amounts set a record – again! - Kills low in EuropePublished in June 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Kills have been low over these last two months in Europe but are running at the seasonal high levels in America, and yet we have seen an increase in prices from tanners and also traders who deal in the Far East.
- FIS figures down 6%Published in June 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Federally Inspected Slaughter in the four week period ended May 16, 2009, amounted to an average weekly kill of 658,500 (603,000 in our previous report). This was down 6% on the previous year when the weekly kill averaged out at 708,000.
- FIS figures drop furtherPublished in May 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Federally Inspected Slaughter in the four week period ended April 17, 2009, amounted to an average kill of 603,000 (614,000) and was down 5.7% on the previous year (642,500).
- Business shifts to ChinaPublished in May 09Published: 17 November, 2009
Hong Kong was fascinating this year as for the first time in the writer’s experience the bulk of the volume of business from Ireland has shifted from Europe to China. One Scandanavian seller stated that although he had felt that for many years his business would gravitate to China, this was the first year that it had actually happened. Indeed, he said that in previous years his business had been 80/20 Europe/China, this year it had switched to 80/20 China/Europe.
- US hide prices stabilise at last!Published in May 09 by Don OhsmanPublished: 17 November, 2009
Prices maintained the stabilisation that began at the time of our last report but efforts to work them higher were unsuccessful. Perhaps as important, producers managed to build some forward sold positions for the first time this year. Additionally, a good share (if not nearly all) of the hides that processors and packers had been stored in outside warehouses were finally able to ship, thus erasing a detrimental overhang to the market.
- What’s in it for you? – CollagenBy Amanda Michel of Leather Wise LtdPublished: 02 February, 2009
This is the second in a series of articles that will explain the principle components that are found in hides and skin, what their functions are in life and what their implications are for the tanner. In this issue we will discuss, in simple terms, what is probably the most important component, collagen, which forms the basis for all leather produced.
- Hide and skin: what’s in it for you?By Amanda Michel of Leather WisePublished: 24 November, 2008
This is the first in a series of articles that will explain the principle components that are found in hides and skin, what their functions are in life and what their implications are for the tanner.
- Kill above averageUnited Kingdom/IrelandPublished: 31 October, 2008
Kills in Ireland were above average in July and around 30,000 cattle per week. This larger than normal supply of hides combined with the reduced demand from Italy to put pressure on prices.
- Fewer cattle on feedlotsUnited StatesPublished: 31 October, 2008
According to two USDA cattle reports there are fewer cattle on US feedlots than a year ago but more heifers than expected are being held for beef cow replacement.
- Alternative tanning optionsPublished: 16 August, 2008
Anthony D Covington, British School of Leather Technology, The University of Northampton, discusses the possible future directions of tanning without chromium. This is an abridged version of the second part of the paper he gave at the Washington IULTCS congress 2007: ‘Quo vadit chromium?'
- A Stunning Effect!The problem of pelt damage by electrical stunning devices is discussed by Amanda Michel of Leather WisePublished: 16 August, 2008
The Problem
Circular areas of damage to pelts in the central shoulder area of sheepskins can be a result of damage occurring during the electrical stunning of sheep at the abattoir. Being in the centre of the skin, this inevitably leads to loss in loss of usable area and downgrading of skins.
- Don Ohsman’s view from AmericaUnited StatesPublished: 10 July, 2008
For still another month, hide prices were basically unchanged. A number of large processors as well as packers reported continuous weeks of being able to sell all the hides they wished. However, by mid May, a softer undertone could be detected in the cow sector, but brands, natives and dairy cows could still not necessarily be called weak. The only category that appeared to be softer, were low grades.
- Demand and kill downPublished: 10 July, 2008
The long hot summer has begun early this year. Kills are lower and so is demand. It seems as if fuel bills are now increasing on a daily rate and the dark mood that prevails in our industry is further compounded by the collapse in the property market in the UK and Ireland. People are depressed because they feel that they have lost something that they never had in the first place.
- Slaughter 1.4% ahead for memorial & July 4 holidaysUnited StatesPublished: 10 July, 2008
In the four week period ended May 24, Federally Inspected Slaughter amounted to an average kill of 708,750, up from the 660,000 of our previous report and also up on the 684,250 average of the same period last year. FIS was running at 1.4% over the 2007 figures.
- Don Oshman's view from AmericaPublished: 04 June, 2008
The American market, that had been limping along for much of the year, came to life during the first week of March as Asian buyers found the need to step in and replenish depleted inventories.
- The topsy-turvy world of financeUnited KingdomPublished: 04 June, 2008
The topsy-turvy world of share market collapses, interest rates cuts and share market recoveries continued unabated throughout March. The American banking system, just as Julius Ceasar before it, failed to beware the ides of March and Bear Sterns suffered the same fate as good old Julius.
- Slaughter down on higher inventoryPublished: 04 June, 2008
In the four week period ended March 23, Federally Inspected Slaughter amounted to an average kill of 639,750, up from the 620,000 of our previous report and also up on the 631,500 average of the same period last year. FIS was running at 0.4% behind the 2007 figures.
- Global leather markets and raw material pricesPublished: 29 May, 2008
Ron Sauer was invited by the organisers of the IILF fair in Chennai, India, to present a seminar on ‘World raw material markets and the status of the tanning industry in China, Italy and Brazil.' Here we provide extracts from the presentation which proved popular with delegates
- Slaughter up on higher inventory (May)United StatesPublished: 11 July, 2008
In the four week period ended April 26, Federally Inspected Slaughter amounted to an average kill of 660,000, up from the 639,750 of our previous report and also up on the 635,250 average of the same period last year. FIS was running at 0.7% over the 2007 figures.
- Slaughter down on higher inventoryUnited StatesPublished: 28 May, 2008
In the four week period ended February 23, 2008, Federally Inspected Slaughter amounted to an average kill of 620,000, down from the 663,750 of our previous report and also down on the 627,000 average of the same period last year. FIS was running at -1.3% behind the 2007 figures. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter at feedlots with capacities of 1,000+ head, totalled 12 million on February 1, 2008.
- TFL colour trends spring/summer 2011
- National Beef plan major tannery investment
- Lanxess invest in top coat technology
- Clariant colour forecast – autumn/winter...
- Fujian tanners offered compensation
- Upcoming Corium club events
- Two themes for summer 2011
- Winning fashion students opt for leather
- LEATHER POSITIONS - GLOBAL POSITIONS
- DyStar host first management meeting
Where from the following options do you see the leather making industry most likely heading in 10 years time?
- 23 - 25 March, 2010
Australian International Sourcing Fair-AISF - 29 - 31 March, 2010
APLF - 30 March, 2010
Eco Trends in Leather Conference - 13 - 16 April, 2010
FIMEC - 07 - 09 May, 2010
Footwear Materials Manufacturing & Technology, India 2010 - 01 - 03 June, 2010
Guangzhou International Leather Exhibition - 08 - 10 July, 2010
Malaysian International Footwear Expo 2010 - 08 - 10 July, 2010
Malaysian International Leather Products Expo 2010 - 29 - 31 August, 2010
Australian Shoe Fair - ASF - 01 - 03 September, 2010
ACLE 2010 - 14 - 17 September, 2010
Le Cuir A Paris - 12 - 14 October, 2010
Lineapelle - 12 - 14 October, 2010
Tanning Tech /Simac - 01 - 03 March, 2011
All African Leather Fair - 4th edition








