Armenia Extends Ban on Hide Exports for Another Six Months

The Armenian government has imposed a ban on the export of hides for another six months. The decision was made during the government session held today.

The ban pertains to unprocessed hides of cattle or equine animals, sheep, and lambs originating from Armenia. The rationale behind the decision is that local industrial companies engaged in leather processing currently have a demand for raw leather, and the potential of the raw material base is not yet being utilized to its full capacity.

Most leather processing companies in Armenia are currently engaged in the first phase of leather processing, after which the leather is exported in semi-finished (wet blue) form. The aim is to deepen the value chain and achieve higher-quality leather through the application of new technologies and the development of production capacities.

With this decision, the government aims to transform Armenia from a “raw material exporting country” to an “exporting country of processed products.” The ban also applies to the transfer of these hides to countries within the Eurasian Economic Union.