Only two of Tanzania’s eight tanneries are now operating, as they are unable to make a profit on leather, according to specialist local press.
S&V Africa Leather quotes Niaz Hirani, head of leather at tannery operator Industrial Promotion Services, who said the situation is so bad that most hides are now being dried and sold to West Africa as food, a local delicacy.
Tanners in East Africa have warehouses of hides they are unable to process, and might soon have to sell them for less than they paid to liquidate stock, he added.
Source: https://leatherbiz.com