Bulletin

Analysts at theSauerReport have observed a shift in the market dynamics over the past few weeks as the supply and demand balance appears to be changing. If the trend continues it may have an impact on raw material and hence leather prices, both up and down. The current market feels quite volatile.  

The ongoing political fallout between the Australian and Chinese government has escalated into a trade war. The latest news is that beef sales to China have been partially suspended.

Even before Covid 19 took hold of the world, the Argentinian hide industry was in a poor shape, prices had been falling to a level where many were not economic to process. 

Although there are reports that some suppliers to European tanners are now starting to return to a closer way of normal life, with existing contracts starting to be delivered and new contracts booked, the same cannot be said for Turkey.

The slaughter rate in Brazil is still well below the normal levels. As reported earlier this week, the green prices have begun to stabilise after several weeks of dramatic price reductions, and in recent days the local currency has held firm against the US$, although is still well below the exchange rates of earlier in the year; this has been no bad thing for exporters

With most restaurants still closed in much of Europe the slaughter has had to be cut back accordingly. Many countries are slowly starting to emerge from the lockdowns imposed by the fallout of the Covid virus, but in most cases the restaurant trade is still not back in place, and will probably one of the last industries to return to something near normal working. 

For the third week in a row, the slaughter has dipped below 500,000 head. The consumer demand is there, along with the cattle to be sent to slaughter, but the covid 19 virus continues to cause disruption at plants. 

One of the first countries in the Western world to come out of lockdown, has its ups and downs. The positive is the virus seems to have passed and people can start to return to their normal lives, although it is a new normal for now.

It remains unclear which direction the leather market will take, the rock-bottom price of hides continues to be the main driver behind the purchase decision of buyers.

Most of the tanneries within Kenya are reliant upon buyers from overseas, with India being one of the biggest markets; with current travel restrictions it has been impossible for buyers to visit the tanners to see the product.