Revenue from the leather and hide market in the US fell 12.1 per cent last year compared to the previous year. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the market value increased by 0.6 per cent against the previous year. However, from 2014 to 2018, demand remained at a lower figure. Leather and hide exports from the US in 2018 were flat with the previous year.

The main destinations for leather and hide exports from the US are: Italy, China and Vietnam. And these combined account for 84 per cent of total exports. Vietnam recorded the highest growth rate of exports of the top countries over the last five years, while the other leaders experienced a decline.

Leather and hide imports into the US in 2018 increased 16 per cent and have increased at an average annual rate of 10.7 per cent over a five-year period. Brazil is the largest supplier of leather and hide to the US, comprising 38 per cent of total US leather and hide imports. The second position in the ranking is occupied by Italy, with an 18 per cent share of imports. Leather imports into the US are likely to see steady growth in the near future.