Russian hide prices defy export duties
Prices of raw hides and finished leather climbed in the Russian Federation during February and March 2001, despite the introduction of higher levels of export duty on February 10.
Prices in February increased by at least $0.10 per kg in terms of raw material, with a dramatic rise being noted in the proportion of wet blue hide sales, principally because the new export duty for wet blue was fixed at 10%, in comparison to 20% for raw material.
Russian suppliers also report increased orders for hides from both domestic and foreign customers. Ukrainian suppliers meanwhile report increased demand for both raw and wet blue hides, and prices have risen accordingly.
Wet salted hides in Ukraine are currently being quoted (depending on source and description) from $2.00 to $2.20 per kg, though the impact of the European foot and mouth disease crisis can be expected to change this again.
