HS Code:
Hair sheep and cabretta skins fall under the category of raw hides and skins, specifically under HS Code 4102, which includes raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, salted, dried, limed, pickled, or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed, or further prepared). Hair sheep skins are sourced from breeds with hair rather than wool, predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions, while cabretta skins are a specific type of hair sheep skin often used for high-quality leather goods such as gloves and shoes due to their fine texture and durability. This category is a critical raw material for the leather industry, with trade driven by demand for sustainable and high-quality leather products.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $500 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database, International Trade Centre (ITC)
$120 million USD
24% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$90 million USD
18% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$75 million USD
15% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$60 million USD
12% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$45 million USD
9% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
15% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect domestic leather industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements or preferential trade schemes like GSP for least developed countries)
Growing demand for sustainable leather products
Increased focus on hair sheep skins due to their eco-friendly production in regions with minimal industrial farming; drives export growth from African countries
2021-2022
Shift towards value-added processing
Exporting countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia are investing in local tanning and processing facilities, reducing raw skin exports and increasing semi-finished leather exports
2020-2022
Fluctuations in global leather demand
Decline in demand from traditional markets like Europe due to synthetic leather alternatives; countered by rising demand in Asia for luxury goods
2019-2022
The Nigerian government introduced incentives for leather exporters, including tax breaks and subsidies for processing facilities, to boost value addition in the hair sheep skin sector.
March 2023
Expected to increase Nigeria's trade volume by 10-15% over the next two years, potentially shifting market share from raw to processed skins.
The European Union implemented stricter environmental and traceability requirements for raw hides and skins to ensure sustainable sourcing and compliance with animal welfare standards.
January 2023
May increase compliance costs for exporters from developing countries, potentially reducing trade volumes to the EU in the short term.
Ethiopia signed a bilateral trade agreement with India to reduce tariffs on raw and semi-processed hair sheep skins, aiming to boost exports to the growing Indian leather market.
September 2022
Likely to enhance Ethiopiaโs position as a top exporter, with a projected 8% increase in trade volume to India in 2023.