Mostly, leather is a by-product. Animals are slaughtered for meat and dairy, and their hides are used. But the answer depends on the animal. Some leathers, including many exotic skins, come from animals raised or hunted mainly for their skins. Even the word “by-product” is debated.
What “by-product” means
A by-product is something produced alongside a main product. Many economists describe hides as a co-product instead. In their view, hides add revenue for meat producers, but they don’t drive how many animals are slaughtered. Some animal welfare groups argue that the skin’s revenue plays a larger role in making meat production viable. The question is debated, and the two views don’t fully agree.
Which animals leather comes from
Estimates vary, but roughly:
- Cattle: about 65% of the world’s leather
- Sheep and lamb: about 12–15%
- Goat: about 10%
- Pig: about 10%
- Exotic animals: under 1%
A hide is roughly 5–8% of a steer’s live weight. Historically, the hide was worth roughly 5–10% of the animal’s total value. Today it is often worth less, and the figure moves with the market.
When the skin is a main reason
Some leathers come from animals raised or hunted largely for their skins:
- Exotic leathers, such as crocodile, alligator, ostrich and python (luxury and exotic leathers covers each), mostly come from animals farmed or hunted largely for the skin. Ostrich and crocodile meat is also sold.
- Kangaroo leather comes from commercial wild harvest in Australia, under quotas.
Calfskin, lambskin and goatskin
Calfskin comes from veal calves and dairy calves, so it is tied to the dairy industry. Lambskin and goatskin mostly come from animals raised for meat. The size classes behind these names are explained in hide vs skin.
Hides in a falling market
When hide prices collapsed around 2019 to 2021, large numbers of US hides reportedly went to landfill instead of tanneries. Exact figures are uncertain.
Welfare concerns
Animal welfare groups raise concerns about how animals are raised, transported and slaughtered. Rules differ by country and by species. These are the advocates’ concerns, and they are part of the wider debate about leather.
Is vegan leather the kinder choice?
Not automatically. Most vegan leather is made from plastics such as polyurethane (PU) or PVC, so it isn’t automatically more eco-friendly than leather. The uses of each leather type are covered in how leather products are made.
How to find out where your leather came from
Labels often don’t say which animal a leather came from, so asking the seller is the most direct route. Ask what animal the hide came from and where it was tanned. For the tanning side, see what a tannery is. For where the leather starts, see how leather is made.