Raw materials
Butt-branded steers 60 –
50 – 40 – 30 – 20 – 15 – 0
1020304050 Weeks
Heavy Texas steers 60 –
50 – 40 – 30 – 20 – 10 – 0
1020304050 Weeks
Heavy native steers
65 – 60 – 55 – 50 – 45 – 40 – 35 – 30 – 25 – 20 –
0
1020304050 Weeks
Branded cows 30 –
25 – 20 – 15 – 10 – 5 – 0 – 0
1020304050 Weeks
2022 2023 2024 2025
2022 2023 2024 2025
2022 2023 2024 2025
2022 2023 2024 2025
balancing production and demand, as industry uncertainties remain amid global economic conditions and fluctuating demand.
Exports
In the first two months of the year, the industry experienced significant fluctuations in rawhide and wet blue sales, reflecting a highly volatile market. Rawhide sales saw a substantial increase of 16.07% during the week of 23 January, with net sales reaching 391,600 pieces, up from 317,200 two weeks earlier. The largest buyers were China (256,600 pieces), followed by Korea (37,800) and Mexico (50,100). Despite the surge in sales, shipments of rawhides decreased by 21.34%, falling to 413,700 pieces from 341,000 the previous week, and from 393,200 two weeks before. By early February, rawhide sales dropped 24.27%, totalling 262,800 pieces, while shipments fell by 15.2%, reaching 368,900. Despite this, China remained the dominant buyer, purchasing 183,200 pieces, with Mexico and Korea also showing consistent demand. By mid- February, rawhide sales recovered, increasing by 33.3% to 350,300 pieces. However, shipments fell 9.6%, reaching 333,500, signalling some ongoing instability despite the sales recovery. China again led with 204,700 pieces, followed by Mexico and Korea. By 20 February, rawhide sales fell by 8.11%, totalling 321,900 pieces, with shipments slightly down by 3.03% to 323,400. The primary markets remained China and Mexico. Wet blue sales showed a dramatic decline during the week of 23 January, with a 74.14% drop, falling to 88,200 pieces from 341,000 the previous week. Major buyers included Hong Kong (53,400) and Thailand (44,500), while Brazil and Italy saw significant losses. Despite this sharp drop in sales, shipments increased slightly by 4.96%, reaching 141,600 pieces. By 6 February, wet blue sales rebounded by 45.90%, reaching 179,900 pieces, while shipments increased 22.76% to 150,500. Key markets included Vietnam, Thailand and Italy. On 13 February, sales continued to rise, rising by 24.6% to 224,200 pieces. However, shipments fell slightly by 3.8%, reaching 144,800 pieces. By 20 February, wet blue sales plummeted by 81.76%, dropping to 40,900 pieces, with shipments also falling by 13.05% to 125,900 pieces. Despite these fluctuations, Italy, China and Vietnam remained key destinations.
Remaining steady
As of 1 February 2025, US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 11.7 million, which is a 1% decrease compared to the same time in 2024. The inventory consisted of 7.25 million steers, a 1% increase, and 4.58 million heifers, down 3% from the previous year. Steers accounted for the majority of the total inventory at 61%. Placements in feedlots during January reached 1.82 million head, a 2% rise from 2024, with net placements totalling 1.76 million. Placements by weight
20 Leather International /
www.leathermag.com
Price ($)
Price ($)
Price ($)
Price ($)
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