Hide & TrendTM

HIDE & TREND launches invasive exotic hides price index

The exotic leather market has lived under a cloud of ethical and environmental scrutiny – for decades. Today, the exotic leather market is highly regulated, and it is easy for buyers to find skins that have been harvested legally and sustainably through certified supply chains (like those monitored by CITES.) An interesting supply chain counter-narrative is emerging—one where purchasing a luxury leather product can actively heal an ecosystem. Thanks to a number of people we met in Milan at Lineapelle, we now introduce a dedicated price index for invasive exotic hides. Moving beyond traditional trade dynamics, this new segment tracks premium skins harvested through government-backed eradication programs designed to protect native biodiversity. By transforming environmental threats into premium commercial assets, specialized tanneries and forward-thinking brands are working to turn an ecological crisis into profit – and – a circular economy success story. For the modern luxury buyer, simple compliance isn’t enough. The market demands “nature-positive” sourcing. Monitoring these market shifts aligns with HIDE & TREND’s ongoing initiative to promote the value of leather and elevate its narrative with the public. In this case, a niche market where material can be a powerful force for environmental restoration.

Leather makes COP31 pitch

In what seems to have become an annual effort, global leather groups are again urging COP31 to recognize leather as a durable, biobased byproduct. A product that supports the circular economy, emphasizing that hide demand does not drive livestock production and calling for greater policy support for natural materials over fossil-based alternatives. ILM, Oct. 14.

Hermès targets US suburban wealth

Hermès is expanding beyond traditional luxury hubs into affluent US suburbs and smaller cities, using ZIP Code, e-commerce and demographic data to identify concentrations of wealthy customers. The Americas were the brand’s strongest growth region in H1 2026, with revenue up 15%, versus 2% in Asia excluding Japan. Recent openings include Wilmette, Ill., Nashville, Scottsdale and Princeton, with Manhasset, N.Y., opening this month; Hermès now has 45 US stores. The US accounted for nearly half of new millionaires created globally in 2025 and 35.7% of global personal wealth. Leather goods and saddlery remain Hermès’ largest category at 44% of 2025 revenue, although the company is expanding clothing, footwear and silks. WSJ,

US cattle shortage hits midterms as USDA pushes herd rebuild

Tight cattle supplies and record beef prices have moved beyond the cattle market and into the US midterm debate, as politicians spar over affordability and beef imports. Ground beef averaged $6.79/lb in September, up from $5.55 in January 2025, while USDA is expanding grazing access to encourage herd rebuilding. The Forest Service will restore at least 500,000 head-months of grazing capacity within two years, while nearly 1 million new acres have entered Grassland CRP. Producers, meanwhile, are being urged to rebuild selectively through heifer retention, genetics and better use of forage rather than simply restoring head counts. For the hide trade, the direction is positive, but everything points to a slow, deliberate recovery in cattle and hide supply rather than a rapid return of volume.

Meanwhile… US dairy herd hits 34-year high

Strong beef-on-dairy returns have helped push the US dairy herd above 9.7 million head, up 319,000 in 20 months, with CoBank saying it could eventually reach 10 million. Dairy farmers are using beef semen on as much as 70% of the herd, while beef-on-dairy calves still command about $1,300, versus roughly $200 before 2023. For hides, the expanding dairy herd and growing beef-on-dairy pipeline provide an increasingly important source of future cattle supply as the traditional beef herd remains historically tight.

Big 4: Tyson shrinks beef footprint

Tyson Foods is restructuring its beef business as tight US cattle supplies are expected to remain challenging for another two to four years. After a $1.1 billion beef operating loss in fiscal 2025, Tyson projects a $625–775 million loss in 2026 and is concentrating slaughter at Dakota City, Holcomb and Amarillo. Management does not expect a rapid herd rebuild, pointing to continued constraints on cattle—and US hide—availability. meatingplace.

Record volumes raise LA port congestion watch

The Port of Los Angeles handled a record 1.04 million TEUs in September, capping its busiest quarter ever with nearly 3 million TEUs moving across its docks. While the surge is primarily import-driven, the exceptionally heavy throughput is worth watching for terminal congestion, equipment availability and potential disruption to outbound US export flows. Port officials also said more cargo is being routed through LA as shippers contend with disruptions and challenges on other global trade routes. Shipping Telegraph.

Trade Blocs: US–China reset, tariff disputes persisth

Following the September Xi–Trump summit, Washington and Beijing are framing relations around a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” based on respect, fairness and reciprocity, while seeking a more structured framework for trade negotiations. The language signals an effort to stabilize relations, but brings no new trade agreement or tariff concessions. In North America, US–Mexico tariff negotiations have stalled after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposed significant reductions in US tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum and automobiles, adding uncertainty to the timetable for broader USMCA renewal talks. The EU and Turkey are moving in the opposite direction, agreeing to improve customs cooperation and tackle outstanding market-access barriers, including Turkey’s export taxes on hides, skins and wet-blue leather, as they pursue modernization of their Customs Union. Meanwhile, EU–Mercosur integration continues to deepen, with Brazilian exports to the EU up 30.7% YoY from May through September and textile groups establishing a formal EU–Mercosur dialogue on rules of origin, investment and customs barriers. For the hide and leather trade, the picture remains fragmented: greater stability and integration in some corridors, but tariffs and unresolved market-access issues continue to shape trade flows.

As tariff threats ease, US in fashion again among Chinese exporters9

Chinese exporters are increasingly optimistic about US demand as Washington and Beijing prepare tariff cuts covering $30 billion of trade on each side. Exhibitors at the Canton Fair reported renewed US buyer interest, with some expecting double-digit order growth, while China’s September exports to the US jumped 39.6% y/y from a weak base. The outlook for Europe is considerably weaker, with exporters reporting smaller orders, tougher pricing, longer payment terms and rising compliance costs from new EU environmental and packaging rules. Chinese manufacturers are also accelerating diversification into South America and the Middle East. SCMP

China auto exports surge as domestic sales slump

China’s passenger vehicle sales fell 28.1% YoY to 1.63 million units in September, extending the domestic market decline to a 12th consecutive month, while exports jumped 73.2% to 923,000 vehicles as automakers increasingly looked overseas for growth. Domestic EV and plug-in hybrid sales fell 16.7%, but exports of those vehicles surged 163.5% YoY. The export push is increasing China’s presence in overseas auto markets, although a new China-EU agreement could restrict Chinese hybrid shipments to Europe. For leather suppliers, the divergence points to weakening Chinese domestic automotive demand but continued growth in China-built vehicles destined for export markets. Reuters.

Mexico eliminates auto-parts tariff as VW sales tumble

Mexico has eliminated its 10% import tariff on auto parts and components for five years in a bid to strengthen domestic automotive manufacturing and attract nearshoring investment. Elsewhere, Volkswagen reported a 14.3% YoY decline in global vehicle deliveries in Q3, its steepest quarterly contraction in more than four years, driven by falling China sales, while Nissan’s plant closure contributed to a 16% decline in industrial output in Morelos during H1 2026. Mexico Business News.

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