Considering we have been in the middle of the holiday period, there has been a surprising amount of activity in the hide market. All sectors of the leather industry, from automotive leather to shoe upper leather tanners, have been in contact with suppliers. Report by TheSauerReport

Obviously, the volumes are well down, but the fact that so many are available is a positive sign and maybe an indication that tanners in China feel they should not miss out on current price levels. Could it be that they feel the bottom of the market has been found? It certainly has that feeling.

A number of selected grades of hides from the U.S., those more suitable for upholstery leather, have actually slightly increased recently.

Over the next week most tanners will start to return to work, only then will the true picture of the current market start to emerge, but the signs are more optimistic than expected.