Bulletin

As much of the tanning and hide trading industry within Europe returns to a new form working normal, the question now comes about of health or wealth. Since pretty much the Chinese New Year period the industry has worked only partly or not at all.

As with many other European countries, some tanneries remained open through-out the lockdown period to process domestic hides, from slaughterhouses producing beef for the French consumer. 

More tanners are starting to want to return to working, alongside those that have been working through-out the virus problem, to process domestic hides. But as with all other nations it will be a slow process of returning. 

Over the past few weeks we have seen suppliers continue sell in large volumes, presumably taking the view that a low price sale is better than no sale. 

Ever since the lock-downs in China were lifted it has been a stop start return to production. Many tanners at first had plenty of work, and were playing catch up with the orders that were left unfinished before they were forced to close, others had some new business to start and complete. 

Cowhides from this part of Europe have always been in good demand; even Italian tanners who do not purchase cowhides in great numbers will look towards these origins to make the better leather. 

Although Australia seems so far to have avoided to worst of the covid19 virus, it has not been immune to the effects of it. 

The situation of the hide trade in Germany last week largely resembled that of the prior one(s), that is very much dictated by the lock-down of tanneries in some European countries, in which the key absentee was Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The ovine production within New Zealand remains low, but despite this there are still a significant number of skins that are being sent straight to landfill as there is no economic value in curing them. 

The slaughter rates within Europe are thankfully below the seasonal norms, which has come as a small relief to traders and suppliers alike.