Wet-blue supported Brazilian leather exports in 2024, according to the latest data released by SECEX (Foreign Trade Secretariat) of the Ministry of Economy and reported by CICB/Brazilian Leather.
Credit: Fernando Branco - AeroCam/Shutterstock.com
In December 2024, Brazilian leather exports were down 16.7% in value over the previous month to US$90.5 million and dropped 5.8% year-on-year. Export volume was up 7% year-on-year in area to 15.5 million sq m and 20.5% in weight to 50,100 tons, with declines of 17.7% and 16.3% month-on-month respectively.
The full 2024 results saw value improve by 12.5% to US$1.26 billion with growth of 22.3% in area and 38.8% in weight.
Wet-blue exports held a share of 29.5% of value and 54.9% of area, growing by 31.1% in value and 35.8% in area. Wet-blue splits had a share of 11.5% of value and grew by 39.4% in value and 29.3% in area.
Crust leather exports had a share of 11.4% of value and 10.3% of area, up by 4.2% and 14.9% respectively. Meanwhile, finished leather held a share of 45.6% of value and 34.9% of area, falling by 0.9% in value but up 2.7% in area.
Wet salted hide exports ended the year with double the export value of 2023, with weight approaching triple that result.
The main destination for Brazilian leather exports was China (without Hong Kong region), which had a share of 32% of value and 43.4% of area, up by 26.9% in value and 38.4% in area year-on-year. Meanwhile, the U.S. had a share of 13.3% of value and 6.6% of area, down by 6.5% in value and 5.2% in area. Finally, Italy had a share of 11.4% of value and 12.8% of area, up by 5.7% in value and 5.2% in area.
Among the top 10 destinations, Vietnam had the biggest improvement, growing by 69.8% in value and 71.3% in area. However, South Korea was down 63% in value and 63.5% in area, for the largest decline.
Looking at exporting states, the greatest value improvement came for Minas Gerais (up 59.7%), Mato Grosso do Sul (up 58.6%) and Bahia (up 45.1%), while there were drops for Ceará (down 11.5%), Santa Catarina (down 10.8%) and Paraná (down 1.7%).
Ceará was the only state with a drop in traded area, down 9.4%. Meanwhile, there was significant growth for Minas Gerais at 60.4%.
The year ended with Rio Grande do Sul leading by value (up 26.6%) and area (up 24.3%), followed by Paraná (up by 16.6% and 18.1% respectively) and São Paulo (grew 15.2% in value and 14.3% in area).
CICB commented: “2024 marked a period of important advances for Brazilian exports of hides and skins. In 2025, the sector seeks to continue its growth trajectory, aligned with innovations, technologies and best production practices. With a close eye on market demands and a commitment to sustainability, CICB will continue to act as an agent for promoting best practices for the domestic market and exports, ensuring that Brazil remains among the world leaders in the leather sector.”
京公网安备 11010202009378号
