June 1, 2021
Leather and Hide Weekly
New research released by LHCA reviews the relationship between hides and cattle farming, finding that hide prices exert no direct influence on cattle numbers. This research, which tracks data over 25 years, cements the fact that hides are by-products of the dairy and meat industries -- not economic drivers for either industry -- and underscores the environmental imperative of converting hides to leather, rather than discarding them in landfills. Also, LHCA announced the first-round winners of its 2021 Student Design Competition in Taiwan. More on these and other topics below.
Weekly Hides and Skins Stats
- Net sales of cured cattle hides reported for the period ending May 20, 2021, were 624,400 pieces and net sales of wet blue were 104,800 pieces. Reported shipments of cured hides were 372,400 and of wet blue were 67,600. China was the largest buyer of cured hides and Vietnam was the largest destination for wet blue. See more. For historical data, click here.
- U.S. Cattle Slaughter was 629,000 last week, a decrease of 6 percent from the previous week. Total cattle slaughter in 2021 is 13,539,000 head, up 6.8 percent from the same period in 2020. See more.
- USDA AMS Major Packer Hide Price Report provided prices for seven types of U.S. hides at eight price points with a spread of $20 for branded southwest cows to $54 for heavy native steers. See more.
- The USDA price report is a snapshot of the market. For real time hide market prices, please consult our friends at Hidenet, The Jacobsen, The Maxfield Report, or The Sauer Report.
Industry Updates
- New research commissioned by LHCA finds cattle reared for meat and dairy production would remain the same even if people stopped buying leather. However, the environmental impact of shunning leather would be significant. The burning or disposal in landfills of 33 million unused U.S. hides would generate more than 750,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually -- and fill all U.S. landfill sites within four years, according to the report, entitled "Quantifying the Relationship Between U.S. Cattle Hide Prices/Value and U.S. Cattle Production," authored by Dr. Gary W. Brester, Professor Emeritus at Montana State University, and leading Agricultural Economist Dr. Kole Swanser, Ph.D. The research cited data indicating that while U.S. hide prices declined 50 percent over the past 25 years, beef cattle and dairy inventories remained unchanged, thereby cementing the fact that hides are by-products of the meat and dairy industries, not economic drivers for either industry. A copy of the research is available here. A press release detailing the report's principal findings can be accessed here.
- Real Leather. Stay Different. announced the first-round winners of its 2021 Student Design Competition in Taiwan, which attracted more than 540 student entries across four categories: apparel, bags, footwear and accessories. All designs are required to feature U.S. hide and leather as the principal material. The judging team, which consists of Taiwanese designers, media and fashion stars, has shortlisted 20 designs to enter the competition's final stage. The talented finalists now have until July 9 to make samples of their designs, after which winners will be honored at an awards ceremony hosted by LHCA and the Taiwan International Leather Association. Read more.
Latest Updates from Real Leather. Stay Different.
Real Leather. Stay Different. guest blogger Nikola Davies shares with readers her passion for sneaker customization in her latest post. Davies highlights three cutting-edge customizers in London whose intricate work is redefining leather shoe culture in creative, groundbreaking ways. Check out how these designers are mastering the art of customization, while elevating leather in the process. Get the latest news from Real Leather. Stay Different. here. And, don't forget to:
Other News
- LHCA signed Americans for Free Trade's comments submitted for the Congressional record in response to President Biden's 2021 Trade Policy Agenda. The comments urge the Administration to prioritize its review of the U.S.-China phase 1 agreement and encourage expeditious removal of the section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports to boost the U.S.'s economic recovery from the pandemic. Read the letter here.
- U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and her Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier Liu He, met virtually last week to discuss the U.S. and China's trade and economic relationship. Ambassador Tai detailed the Biden Administration's guiding principles on trade policy, in general, and its ongoing review of U.S. trade policy towards China. Read more here about the meeting.
Leather News
Each week, we will share relevant leather news below. Some of the articles may cover our products, and the industry, unfavorably, but we still believe it is important to share the different ways in which leather is presented in the media. If you find articles that you would like to see included, please send them to mschumpp@meatinstitute.org.