Brazil’s leather export market slowed again in August 2025. Official data from SECEX analyzed by CICB shows that exports of hides and skins reached $82.1 million. This marks a 7.9% fall from July and a 7.2% drop from August last year when the total stood at $88.4 million.
In volume terms the picture was mixed. Brazil shipped 13.5 million square meters and 45.3 thousand tons of hides and skins in August.
That is 3.2% more in area and 18.2% more in weight than in August 2024. Compared to July 2025, however, there was a 5.5% drop in area and only a slight 0.03% rise in weight.
From January to August this year the country exported US$ 743.5 million worth of hides and skins. This is 12.6% lower than the same period in 2024.
China remains Brazil’s top buyer taking 29.6% of export value. However sales to China dropped 16.1% in value even as area rose 1.2%.
The United States holds second place with 14.1% of value and 7.2% of area but imports fell 9.5% in value and 1.3% in area.
Italy is third with 11.2% of value and 13% of area seeing a 15.5% fall in value and a 5% drop in area.
Among other major buyers Thailand and Hong Kong recorded the sharpest declines with losses above 40%.
Finished leather kept its lead with 49.5% of export value and 37.7% of area in the first eight months of 2025. Its value slipped 6.6% but area rose 0.3%.
Wet blue leather held 25.8% of value and 53.9% of area yet its value plunged 22.6% compared to last year.
Crust leather dropped 30.2% in value and 23.5% in area.
Type of leather Jan–Aug 2025:
Salted – $28.8 Million
Wet Blue – $189.53 Million
Split WB – $82.9 Million
Crust – $68.9 Million
Finished – $363.2 Million
Total – $733.7 Million
August 2025 repeated last year’s pattern as one of the weakest months for exports. Higher tariffs and weaker demand weighed on shipments especially to the US where export value fell more than 23% and volume dropped 12% from the average up to July.
China and Italy also saw declines though less severe with about 16% and 9% falls in value respectively.
The data points to the significant effect of the new US tariffs just a month after they were introduced. Even with the extension of the tariff agreement between the US and China for another 90 days confirmed on August 11 Chinese buyers have yet to increase orders.
Read the full report here
Note: All prices are in USD
Related News: Brazilian Leather Exports Reach $89.2 Million in July 2025 With China as the Top Buyer
