March 2nd

Leather and Hide Weekly

 

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LHCA remains actively engaged in efforts to address the ongoing financial and logistical harm caused to the U.S. hide, skin, and leather industry as a result of unreasonable practices by ocean carriers and marine terminal operators, primarily at West Coast ports. In response, LHCA is hosting a members-only virtual town hall this week to collect input regarding this crisis and to brief members about the association's work aimed at holding carriers accountable. More on this topic and others below.

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Weekly Hides and Skins Stats 

  • Net sales of cured cattle hides reported for the period ending February 18, 2021, were 210,000 pieces and net sales of wet blues were 22,300 pieces. Reported shipments of cured hides were 304,700 and of wet blues were 70,600. China was the largest buyer of cured hides and Italy was the largest destination for wet blues. See more. For historical data, click here. 
  • U.S. Cattle Slaughter was 666,000 last week, an increase of 20.7 percent from the previous week. Total cattle slaughter in 2021 is 5,166,000 head, down 4.2 percent from the same period in 2020. See more.
  • USDA AMS Major Packer Hide Price Report provided prices for six types of U.S. hides at six price points with a spread of $14.00 for branded southwest cows to $30.50 for both heavy Texas steers and Colorado branded steers.  See more.

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Industry Updates

  • LHCA is hosting a virtual town hall meeting this Wednesday, March 3, at 4 p.m. ET, to discuss ongoing, and worsening, ports and shipping issues that are hindering U.S. hides, skin and leather exports. LHCA continues to engage the White House, Congress and U.S. Department of Agriculture, among others, on this issue, but is convening this town hall to gather input from members and to discuss additional ways we can address this crisis. To register to attend this meeting, click here. Please note, this town hall is restricted to members of LHCA; non-members will not be granted permission to join this meeting. We appreciate your understanding. 
  • The International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies  (IULTCS) announced the selection of two new testing commission convenors. Jacqueline Glasspool, group quality manager at SATRA Technology Centre Ltd. in the United Kingdom, was appointed the new Convenor of the IUP (Fastness) Commission, replacing Mike Wilson. Gustavo Defeo, founder and director of Ars Tinctoria srl in Italy, was selected to serve as the new Convenor of the IUF (Physical) Commission, replacing Campbell Page. Read more. 
  • The IULTCS Executive Committee recently announced the recipients of the 2021 IULTCS Research Commission (IUR) research grants. The grants are awarded to young scientists -- under the age of 35 -- in the leather sector. Hon Wei Ng, a research assistant from New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association, was awarded the Young Leather Scientists 2021 Basic Research grant to support his project entitled, "Study of Molecular Level Collagen Structure Changes of Enzymatic Depilation Using X-Ray Scattering." Meanwhile, Caroline Borges Agustini, from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, received the Professor Mike Redwood young Leather Scientist Grant 2021 Sustainability/ Environmental Award. The funding will support her project entitled, "Hydrocarbon Release During the Biodegradation of Solid Waste from Tanneries for BIOGAS Production." More here.  

Latest Updates from Real Leather. Stay Different.

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Not getting out that much because of COVID-related lockdowns? That doesn't mean you can't have some fun with your wardrobe, and still be comfortable, too. From leather trousers to slippers, we've got you covered on the most stylish, cozy pieces to wear whether you're out running an errand or binge-watching your favorite show at home. Check out our top picks here. Get the latest news from Real Leather. Stay Different. here. And, don't forget to:

 

Monthly Data

  • The Monthly Livestock Slaughter Report is now available. January 2021 cattle slaughter totaled 2.74 million head, down 5 percent from January 2020. Get a summary of the data here.

 

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Other News

  • LHCA joined more than 70 agriculture trade associations in delivering an urgent plea to the Biden Administration regarding the lack of outbound shipping capacity at key U.S. ports and excessive charges imposed on exporters when shipments are delayed. The letter, coordinated by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, was delivered to President Joe Biden, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Maritime Commission Chair Michael Khouri, among others. Read the letter here. 
  • The U.S. Senate last week voted 92-7 to confirm Tom Vilsack to serve as President Joe Biden's Secretary of Agriculture. A former governor of Iowa, Vilsack served eight years as the U.S.'s Agriculture Secretary during the Obama Administration. More here.  
  • LHCA joined a broad cross-section of agriculture and manufacturing organizations in calling for the swift Senate confirmation of Katherine Tai to serve as United States Trade Representative in the Biden Administration. "Ms. Tai is eminently qualified to craft a comprehensive, thoughtful, and strategic approach to U.S. trade policy that helps fuel a successful economic recovery for American families, workers, and businesses," the organizations wrote in the letter. Tai has garnered bipartisan support, and she is soon expected to be confirmed by the Senate. Read more here.  

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.