Press Releases and Latest Industry Information
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 20th April 2021
Thank you to all LHCA members who attended last week's virtual Spring Board of Directors and Strategic Planning meeting. Your participation and engagement contributed to a productive and successful event. Also, LHCA President Stephen Sothmann will participate this week in a webinar hosted by APLF that addresses the environmental impact of discarded hides as well as common misleading claims embraced by makers of leather alternatives. Plus, the Leather Research Lab at the University of Cincinnati is seeking a senior research associate to join its dedicated team of experts. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 13th April 2021
LHCA released its latest report, which summarizes key 2020 U.S. hide, skin and leather industry trends and data, and presents thoughts on the year ahead. The impact of shipping issues, new U.S. Administration policies and ongoing global marketing efforts are discussed, among other pertinent topics. Plus, LHCA is holding its Spring Board of Directors and Strategic Planning meeting this week. There is still time to register for tomorrow's Board Meeting session. All LHCA members are welcome to participate. read more
U.S. Leather and Hide Industry 2020 Year End Review; 2021 Projections
Tuesday, 13th April 2021
The U.S. hides and skins market experienced further price declines throughout 2020, and export values fell compared to 2019. Although wet blue and pig skin export volume decreased, salted hide exports rose 19 percent, despite a corresponding 24 percent drop in export value. The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic injected unprecedented uncertainty into the U.S. cattle and beef markets in the spring of 2020 and exacerbated existing market challenges faced by the animal by-products industry. The consequences were particularly acute for the U.S. hide and leather industry, which was already contending with weaker global demand and declining prices. In May 2020, steer hide values fell to likely their lowest recorded levels, before improving in the fall. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 6th April 2021
As the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) continues to investigate unfair and unreasonable ocean carrier practices, President Joe Biden designated Commissioner Daniel Maffei to serve as FMC chairman. Plus, LHCA will hold its spring Board and Committee meetings next week. Registration links and a final agenda are available in the Industry Updates section of this newsletter. All LHCA members are welcome to attend the virtual meetings. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 30th March 2021
As the crisis at U.S. ports continues, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) responded favorably to a bipartisan request from more than 140 Members of Congress urging the FMC to examine problems within the ocean freight delivery system and to address inefficiencies. Also, LHCA announced the winners of its Real Leather. Stay Different. student design competition in mainland China. Fifty-four talented designers will be honored at an awards ceremony in July. Plus, LHCA announced additional details about its upcoming spring Board and Committee meetings, along with links to register for each session. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 23rd March 2021
LHCA continues to actively engage Congress and the new U.S. administration on pertinent agriculture trade policies and issues. To that end, LHCA last week signed several letters sent to key Biden Administration officials and Members of Congress regarding trade with Mexico, surface transportation and tariffs. Also, APLF Hong Kong has postponed this year's trade show from July to November to account for ongoing COVID-related restrictions. Plus, LHCA announced additional details about its spring Board and Committee meetings, along with links to register for each session. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 16th March 2021
Concerns continue to mount regarding agriculture shipping issues at U.S. ports, as more members of Congress join a growing group of agriculture organizations and government officials in calling for more decisive action to hold ocean carriers accountable for practices that are undermining U.S. agricultural export competitiveness and straining supply chains. Also, APHIS recently announced it is extending the export product facility inspection grace period through September 2021. Plus, LHCA announced the dates for its spring Board and Committee meetings. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 9th March 2021
As the U.S. Senate nears approval of President Biden's U.S. Trade Representative, the Administration recently released its 2021 trade agenda, which focuses on labor, equity, climate and enforcement. Along with COVID-19 relief and economic revitalization, the Administration intends to prioritize agricultural trade and aims to pursue a multilateral approach to addressing China's policies and practices. Meanwhile, 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. Also, APHIS recently issued a pair of announcements regarding exporting to the United Kingdom and the European Union. Plus, the latest monthly hides and skins export trade data is now available. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 2nd March 2021
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. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 23rd February 2021
LHCA remains actively engaged in efforts to address the ongoing financial and logistical harm caused to the U.S. agriculture sector as a result of unreasonable practices by ocean carriers and marine terminal operators, primarily at West Coast ports. In response, the Federal Maritime Commission is ramping up efforts to ensure carriers and marine terminal operators are complying with their legal obligations. Plus, the Real Leather. Stay Different. student design competition has entered a decisive stage in Italy, where finalists are developing prototypes of their creations. read more