Brazil’s February exports of hides and skins totaled US$75.4 million in value. This is down by more than 23.9% from the previous month, and 31.3% lower than the same month last year.
The data was presented by the SECEX (Secretariat of Foreign Trade) of the Ministry of Industry and Foreign Trade and analyzed by the CICB.
In terms of square meters, 10.7 million were exported in February, down by 26.2% from January and by 7.3% from February last year.
During the first two months of the year, exports totaled US$174.6 million, 17.5% less than in the same period of 2022. In terms of square meters, however, it was 6.6% higher.
In the first two months of the year, China remains the top buyer of Brazilian hides and skins and the United States ranks second. Italy is in the third spot. The three main buyers of Brazilian leather all purchased less in February results.
By stage, in the two-month period compared to 2022:
- Wet Blue exports dropped in value by 13.0% but increased by 49.4% in area;
- Scraping WB increased by 6.3% in value, but decreased by 12.4% in area;
- Crust dropped by 23.6% in value, and 13.5% in area;
- Finished goods decreased by 22.1% in value and 10.3% in area.
Salted skins continue to see strong increases in shipments, now more than tripling in value and almost quadrupling in volume.
With regard to China, recent good news shows that economic activity grew significantly in January and February. This indicates buyers in that country may resume purchasing soon, with positive effects on the leather industry and on domestic exports in the sector.
