Press Releases and Latest Industry Information
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 2nd June 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. In light of the recent effort in China to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week announced the U.S. no longer considers Hong Kong autonomous from China -- a decision with both political and trade implications. Meanwhile, in Italy, the leather industry secured an important victory, as the country's government adopted a regulation, which precludes synthetics and other materials not derived from animals from being labelled leather. Plus, LHCA will now hold its spring Board of Directors meeting on June 17 and non-Board members are welcome to participate as observers. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 26th May 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. Despite increasing calls by some to scrap the new U.S.-China phase one trade deal, U.S. trade officials have touted the progress made, particularly on Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products. Meanwhile, China recently provided additional information about its tariff exclusion process for qualifying U.S. imports, which USDA detailed in a new report. Also, LHCA President Steve Sothmann will speak about our ethical duty to upcycle cattle hides as part of APLF's webinar series. Plus, you can now register for the spring ANPIC show in Leon, Mexico, which will take place digitally this June. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 19th May 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. President Donald Trump in recent weeks floated the idea of potentially withdrawing from the phase one U.S.-China trade deal, though he has since tempered his statements, amid declining U.S. exports and a weakening economy in the wake of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation published a long-anticipated rule updating hours of service regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers. In trade show news, the spring ANPIC show in Leon, Mexico will now take place digitally this June. read more
U.S. Hide, Skin, and Leather Industry 2019 Year End Data; 2020 Projections
Friday, 15th May 2020
The U.S. hides and skins market experienced further price declines throughout 2019, and exports of these products declined in both volume and value compared to 2018. In addition to systemic problems in the global leather market, which pushed prices lower, the industry contended with macro-level political instability that injected significant uncertainty into the market throughout the year. Although the expansion of the U.S. cattle herd has appeared to stall, slaughter levels are expected to remain relatively stable – though growing at a slightly slower pace – providing ample hides to the market in 2020. The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, may pose challenges to global supply chains. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 12th May 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. New hides and skins monthly trade data through March 2020 is now available, and shows continued declines in exports compared to 2019. Plus, LHCA President Stephen Sothmann will present our ethical duty to use leather during a webinar this Wednesday, May 13. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 5th May 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. A new analysis by LHCA finds that U.S. cattle hide value has declined significantly in the wake of COVID-19, representing approximately 1% of a steer's total value -- likely the lowest value on record. On a more positive note, the Federal Maritime Commission last week published a Final Interpretive Rule issuing guidance regarding the reasonableness of detention and demurrage charges assessed by shipping lines and marine terminal operators. Plus, LHCA President Stephen Sothmann will speak about our ethical duty to use leather in a pair of upcoming webinars. read more
U.S. Cattle Hide Value Declines Significantly in Wake of COVID-19
Tuesday, 5th May 2020
The COVID-19 global pandemic has injected unprecedented uncertainty into the U.S. cattle and beef markets and has exacerbated existing market challenges faced by the animal by-products industry. The consequences are particularly acute for the U.S. hide and leather industry, which is already contending with weaker global demand and declining prices. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 28th April 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. LHCA this week joined more than 300 organizations requesting that the Trump Administration delay duty payments for imports to the U.S. to ease the economic impact of COVID-19. Moreover, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Friday informed Congress that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will enter into force July 1, 2020. Plus, LHCA President Stephen Sothmann will speak about our ethical duty to use leather in a pair of upcoming webinars. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 21st April 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. The Trump Administration is taking action to provide tariff relief to certain companies and products hit hard by the economic impact of COVID-19, though the order does not apply to tariffs imposed on most imports. Also, as the public and private sectors accelerate efforts to combat COVID-19, leading fashion brands are pitching in to produce masks and other useful products. Plus, LHCA President Steve Sothmann last week joined Textile Exchange to discuss the sustainability of leather. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 14th April 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. Thank you to the members who participated in the Spring Board of Directors meeting survey. As a result of your feedback, LHCA has decided to postpone the meeting, originally slated for later this month, until either May or June. Also, the 2020 APLF show in Hong Kong has been postponed until March 2021. read more