Hide demand is increasingly getting stronger from many sectors of the market. Steers, heifers, and some cow selections saw prices increases today of $1 to a maximum of $3. Many suppliers have been able to raise asking prices due to the willingness to buy.

January’s Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) advance retail clothing sales were reported at $14.7 billion, down 52 percent from the previous month. This year’s month-over-month change was slim compared to the prior five-year December to January average drop of 109 percent. Demand for clothing continues to be high relative to the trough seen during the peak of the COVID shutdowns. However, there is downside risk building due to the lack of shipping containers and rise in freight rates from the APAC region. Leather processing complications continue due to issues getting material out of the ports and into the processing centers. Currently, hide demand is very strong as tanneries try to keep up with the strong demand for finished leather, but shipping uncertainties continue to undermine the market. Buyers are hedging the risk of shortages by purchasing additional inventory, which is causing a boost in prices. Branded Heifers are now trading at a high of $22, which is a rise of 22 percent from four weeks ago. If demand from leather customers remain high and buyers are able to receive a sufficient quantity of shipment, it is reasonable to see hide prices continue to move upwards in the near-term. However, if shipping issues get worse it is possible see a change in direction for the US hide market as inventory builds within the US and sellers are forced to discount material to move in non-traditional directions.

Figure 1.

Today’s Trades

Packer Sales

BS 62/64 @ $27.00
BS 70 MIN @ $28.00
HBH 51/53 @ $22.00 OR 0.3300
NHNDC 51/53 @ $27.00 OR 0.4050
SHNDC 51/53 @ $26.00 OR 0.3900
NBC 51/53 @ $17.00 OR 0.2550
SBC 51/53 @ $16.00 OR 0.2400
KIP 28/32 @ $18.00
SM PKR 60 MIN @ $10.00

Processor Sales

BS 62/64 @ $24.00
HBH 51/53 @ $14.50 OR 0.2175
NHNDC 51/53 @ $21.00 OR 0.3150
SHNDC 51/53 @ $20.50 OR 0.3075
NBC 51/53 @ $11.50 OR 0.1725
SBC 51/53 @ $10.50 OR 0.1575
KIP 28/32 @ $7.00 OR 0.1825