New Analysis Affirms Robust Economic Impact Of U.S. Hides And Skins Industry

The U.S. hides and skins industry accounts for nearly $3.4 billion in total economic output, according to a new economic impact analysis conducted by John Dunham and Associates for the North American Meat Institute (NAMI), an affiliate organization of the U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA). The entire U.S. meat and poultry industry, meanwhile, is responsible for $1.02 trillion in total economic output, or 5.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

 

The study, which groups hides and skins with offal, found that the production, processing and distribution of those products directly employs an estimated 5,486 individuals, who collectively earn more than $384 million in wages. The broader meat and poultry industry is responsible for 5.4 million jobs and $257 billion in wages, the report found.

 

“The U.S. hides and skins industry remains one of the top raw materials suppliers to the global leather manufacturing industry,” said USHSLA President Stephen Sothmann. “This study just proves what we have implicitly known for years - the companies and employees that export more than 90 percent of U.S. hides and skins products are integral to the U.S. economy.”

 

U.S. exports of hides and skins products, including cattle hides, pig skins and wet blue leather, topped $2.3 billion in value in 2015.

 

“Leather manufacturers throughout the world prefer to use U.S. materials in their shoes, handbags, upholstery and automobiles,” Sothmann added. “The hides and skins industry is proud to support quality American jobs that ensure consumers around the world have access to our exceptional and affordable products.”