The high livestock numbers in the Eastern Cape allow for investment and growth opportunities in downstream product beneficiation of leather and leather goods.  Tanning of hides and exotic leather in the province is linked directly to the growth in demand for high-value leather for both the automotive and commercial sectors.

High quality leather, leather footwear, leather clothing and leather products all have high potential for export to the USA and European Union markets.


Leather and leather goods business opportunities include:

• Auto leather off-cuts - the development of small industrial operations for the manufacture and production of leather products from the leather off-cuts of the automotive industry provides an attractive investment opportunity for international investors.
• Sheep skin beneficiation - opportunities exist for tanning of sheepskin and associated sheepskin products for the domestic and international market.
• Supply of exotic leathers - the abundance and variety of species in the province, such as ostrich and game, provides for opportunities associated with high-value, finished leathers for domestic and foreign use.
• Increase supply and quality of hides - opportunities exist for international operators to train local livestock farmers in hand skinning and hide preservation in order to increase the supply of quality hides.
• Small-scale tanneries - small-scale tanners have been trained in ‘organic' leather production for crafts. Domestic and international partners could find associated business opportunities in partnering with these small-scale tanneries.