The hide market showed divergent trends on December 5, with some buyers willing to pay flat to last traded prices (primarily large-scale tanners) while others expressed a more negative outlook.

According to a packer, heavy native steer (HNS) hides attracted bids of $29 per piece, but packers declined due to limited supply. Another seller traded HNS hides at $28 per piece, below last-traded levels, noting minimal demand from overseas tanners.

Cow hide trading remained flat in both volume and pricing, according to a few cow hide sellers.

Colorado branded steer (CBS) hides faced a drop of $1 per piece on jumbo weights, driven by higher freight costs that diminish their appeal. Meanwhile, hide weights have increased significantly as cattle grow their winter hair coats, adding up to 7% more weight, which affects both logistics and pricing dynamics.

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