US increases value of wet blue and wet salted hide exports
12/08/2014
Between January and June 2014, the industry exported more than $1.4 billion worth of US cattle hides, pigskins, and wet blue. This represents a 6.7% increase over export revenues during the same period in 2013.
Exports of wet salted cattle hides increased by 4% in value over the period to more than $955 million. China was the largest buyer of these products, with imports valued at $619 million, a 7% increase over the same period in 2013. Taiwan saw a 7% increase over 2013 levels to $68 million.
Wet blue hides also continued to increase in value. Exports of US wet blue over the six-month period had a total value of just over $450 million, a 13% increase over 2013. China, again, was the largest importer of these products, taking in $168 million worth (a 4% increase over 2013).
Despite increasing export values, the U.S. hides and skins industry faces a shortage of available supplies as cattle slaughter rates have decreased approximately 7% below 2013 levels. This continues a multi-year trend of reduced slaughter rates and cattle hide availability.
On reporting the figures, the US Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) said this recent period has been “one of the most successful the industry has seen to date”.
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