It said the price of bull skins has almost doubled in six months.

It added chemicals groups have also raised prices on tanning auxiliaries this month, due to raw materials shortages and transport issues - adding to cost pressures.

UNIC said this is alarming given that sector turnover and exports were down a quarter in 2020.

It called on supply chain partners to “share responsibility, to try to maintain all market positions” while waiting for conditions to stabilise.

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