Hide trading activity picked up today at mostly sideways pricing for steer selections. The exception was butt branded steers, which traded $1 up from yesterday’s price levels. Butt branded steers continue to be in strong demand from automotive hide tanners which is expected to continue at steady purchasing volumes in the near-term. Sources have reported that Chinese tanners were hesitant to pay higher prices this week and have walked away from negotiations if their bids, in some cases several dollars per piece, were not accepted. Chinese domnestic shoe tanners showed minimal interest in the hide market this week, shoe tanners in Italy continue show strong demand for material. As for handbag and furniture upholstery, hide business remains bullish while consumers continue to buy these finished leather products. Automotive tanners are concerned with production loss in Europe due to the war in Ukraine, but projects are steady for the time being. 

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