The hide market remained relatively slow on Tuesday January 7, with the exception of a handful of steer hide and heifer hide sales of large volume. Some optimism emerged from China today, bolstered by interest from a large shoe tanner branching out from domestic production into export markets. Conversations between buyers and sellers increased, though bids remained limited.

Dairy cow hides were a key topic among market participants, with bids down by $0.50-1.00 per piece, while heavy native steer hides for jumbo weight rose by $2.50 per piece to $31.50 per piece, branded heifer hides increased by $1.00 per piece to $18.00 per piece after fluctuating for months, and heavy Texas steer hides dropped by $0.50 per piece to $23.00 per piece.

…