Tanzania hides and skins sector sees Q1 slowdown
Tanzania’s hides and skins industry recorded a quarterly decline in the first quarter of 2026, with production value falling 23.5% from December levels, according to local media reports citing the Bank of Tanzania’s Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report.
The total value of hides and skins production dropped to TZS 2.77 billion (US$1.08 million) in March from TZS 3.61 billion (US$1.41 million) three months earlier, mainly due to lower cattle hide output.
Cattle hides remained the dominant segment, accounting for more than 90% of sector value, although production fell to 389,155 pieces in March from 647,348 pieces in December. Goat and sheep skins showed greater resilience, with only marginal changes in production value.
The report identified the Lake Zone as Tanzania’s largest source of hides and skins in March, contributing 30.7% of national output, followed by Dar es Salaam at 25.8% and the South Eastern Zone at 24.1%.
