Thursday ended mostly steady with only one trade being reported, which was on Heavy Texas Steers (HTS). Market participants noted a slowdown in business as many Chinese tanneries begin to shut down for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Sources also observed that packer hide demand continues to be slow and the footwear leather market remains weak.

U.S. Export Sales & Shipments for Week Ending January 18

USDA Cured Hide and Wet Blue Export Sales Recap

For the week ending January 18, export sales for the 2023 marketing year increased 23.90 percent, from 520,070 to 644,357, while shipments increased 20.75 percent, from 465,448 to 562,009. Sales for the 2024 marketing year totaled 1,616,010, mostly all hides. The average year-to-date weekly trends for federally inspected slaughter were 568,121. Total export sales were 538,670 and total export shipments were 445,936.

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