Sheepskin

What is Sheepskin?

Sheepskin is a remarkable material derived from the hide of sheep. It has been utilized for centuries due to its exceptional qualities and versatility. This unique material offers a wide range of practical and luxurious applications, making it a favorite among consumers worldwide. In this article, we will explore what sheepskin is, its characteristics, and the various uses it serves in our daily lives.

Sheepskin is the natural skin or hides of a sheep that has been processed to retain its soft, supple, and fuzzy texture. It is highly regarded for its remarkable insulation properties, which allow it to regulate body temperature and provide comfort in both warm and cold climates. The fibers in sheepskin have a crimped structure, creating small air pockets that trap warmth during colder seasons and allow for breathability during warmer months.

One of the notable characteristics of sheepskin is its inherent ability to wick away moisture. The fibers naturally absorb moisture, keeping the skin dry and preventing the growth of bacteria and odor. This makes sheepskin an excellent material for products such as footwear, gloves, and outerwear, where moisture control and comfort are essential.

Sheepskin is also known for its incredible softness and durability. The natural lanolin present in sheepskin fibers provides a luxurious feel while enhancing its resilience and longevity. It is a material that stands the test of time, often becoming softer and more comfortable with use. Additionally, sheepskin's natural elasticity ensures that it retains its shape, making it an ideal choice for products like rugs, seat covers, and home decor items.

In conclusion, sheepskin is a natural wonder that offers a multitude of benefits. Its insulation properties, moisture-wicking abilities, softness, and durability make it a sought-after material for a wide range of products. From cozy footwear and gloves to luxurious rugs and home decor, sheepskin continues to captivate consumers with its comfort, functionality, and timeless appeal. Experience the beauty and versatility of sheepskin for yourself and indulge in the natural wonders it has to offer.

Sheepskin Production in the World

The global production of Sheepskin plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, China is the top producer, contributing 631,400 tonnes, which accounts for 30.10% of the total global production. Australia ranks second, producing 186,835 tonnes, representing 8.91% of the world's output. Other significant producers include India, Turkiye, and New Zealand, with production levels of 173,331, 103,466, and 80,465 tonnes, respectively. Sao Tome and Principe has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 1 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Sheepskin reached approximately 2,097,877 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Sheepskin Production in 2023

Countries Ranked by Sheepskin Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)
1	China	631,400
2	Australia	186,835
3	India	173,331
4	Turkiye	103,466
5	New Zealand	80,465
6	United Kingdom	61,686
7	Algeria	56,578
8	Pakistan	55,660
9	Mongolia	51,461
10	Chad	40,004
11	Sudan	39,939
12	Iran	39,421
13	Syria	32,834
14	Ethiopia	29,516
15	Uzbekistan	28,224
16	Nigeria	28,162
17	Saudi Arabia	26,727
18	Russia	24,964
19	Morocco	23,129
20	South Africa	20,286
21	Brazil	19,505
22	Kazakhstan	17,878
23	Turkmenistan	17,007
24	Afghanistan	15,959
25	Kyrgyzstan	14,028
26	Argentina	13,586
27	Peru	11,979
28	Mexico	11,865
29	Kuwait	11,798
30	Indonesia	11,276
31	Tunisia	10,552
32	Kenya	10,338
33	Bolivia	10,213
34	Senegal	10,034
35	Azerbaijan	10,030
36	Iraq	8,859
37	Tajikistan	8,690
38	Yemen	8,369
39	Tanzania	8,194
40	Somalia	7,758
41	Libya	6,571
42	United States	6,519
43	Norway	6,462
44	Israel	5,983
45	Serbia	5,881
46	Mauritania	5,852
47	Egypt	5,822
48	Burkina Faso	5,753
49	Uruguay	4,643
50	Albania	4,549
51	Ghana	4,328
52	Bahrain	4,127
53	Cuba	3,370
54	Jordan	3,210
55	Cameroon	2,826
56	South Sudan	2,736
57	Cote d'Ivoire	2,610
58	Canada	2,506
59	Ukraine	2,419
60	Benin	2,316
61	Palestine	2,268
62	Oman	2,255
63	Niger	2,237
64	Guinea	2,227
65	Chile	2,093
66	Iceland	1,751
67	Togo	1,719
68	Armenia	1,478
69	Mali	1,468
70	Bangladesh	1,200
71	Namibia	1,105
72	Georgia	1,069
73	Uganda	932
74	Switzerland	903
75	Lebanon	877
76	Democratic Republic of the Congo	823
77	North Macedonia	770
78	Ecuador	715
79	Eritrea	687
80	Angola	651
81	United Arab Emirates	635
82	Rwanda	599
83	Venezuela	582
84	Zimbabwe	492
85	Djibouti	436
86	Malaysia	427
87	Haiti	424
88	Myanmar	400
89	Sierra Leone	379
90	Guatemala	336
91	Guinea-Bissau	323
92	Paraguay	310
93	Malawi	266
94	Nepal	266
95	Liberia	257
96	Dominican Republic	257
97	Bosnia and Herzegovina	255
98	Central African Republic	254
99	Belarus	250
100	Madagascar	250
101	Botswana	235
102	Moldova	231
103	North Korea	207
104	Gabon	187
105	Lesotho	181
106	Montenegro	178
107	Zambia	157
108	Mozambique	140
109	Guyana	136
110	Qatar	132
111	Burundi	130
112	Faroe Islands	122
113	Fiji	105
114	Colombia	98
115	The Gambia	75
116	Republic of the Congo	55
117	Japan	38
118	Equatorial Guinea	28
119	Eswatini	26
120	Philippines	26
121	Grenada	25
122	Thailand	24
123	Belize	24
124	Barbados	23
125	Comoros	20
126	St. Lucia	17
127	Honduras	17
128	Trinidad and Tobago	16
129	Puerto Rico	14
130	Cabo Verde	11
131	Mauritius	8
132	Bhutan	8
133	The Bahamas	7
134	Brunei Darussalam	7
135	Timor-Leste	7
136	El Salvador	6
137	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	6
138	Dominica	6
139	Papua New Guinea	6
140	Nicaragua	6
141	Costa Rica	3
142	Suriname	3
143	St. Kitts and Nevis	3
144	Singapore	2
145	French Polynesia	1
146	Jamaica	1
147	Antigua and Barbuda	1
148	South Korea	1
149	New Caledonia	1
150	Sao Tome and Principe	1

Process of Making Sheepskin

The process of making sheepskin involves several steps to transform the raw sheepskin into a soft, durable, and usable material. Here is a general outline of the process:

Shearing: To initiate the process, the initial step involves removing the wool from the sheep's skin, commonly carried out during the spring season when the sheep have developed an ample amount of wool. Skilled shearers employ electric clippers to meticulously shear off the wool from the sheep's body, ensuring the animals remain unharmed during the process.
Skirting: After the wool has been extracted, the sheared fleece undergoes a thorough examination and sorting. The fleece is carefully scrutinized to identify any stains, dirt, or debris. To eliminate these undesired elements, a process known as skirting is employed. Skirting entails trimming off the soiled or impaired sections of the fleece, leaving behind solely the pristine and superior-quality wool.
Washing: After skirting, the fleece goes through a washing process to remove dirt, grease, and impurities. The fleece is soaked in water and mild detergents to loosen the dirt and oils. It may be agitated gently to ensure thorough cleaning. Then, the fleece is rinsed several times to remove any remaining soap or detergent.
Drying: Once the fleece is clean, it is carefully laid out to dry. The drying process may take place in a well-ventilated area, or sometimes it is hung on drying racks or laid flat on mesh screens. Proper air circulation is essential to ensure the fleece dries evenly and without developing mold or mildew.
Tanning: After the fleece is dry, it undergoes a tanning process to transform it into a sheepskin. Tanning involves treating the skin with chemicals to preserve and soften it. Common tanning methods include chrome tanning, vegetable tanning, and synthetic tanning. These methods may differ in the chemicals used and the duration of the process.
Softening: After the tanning process, the sheepskin undergoes treatment to augment its softness and flexibility, which includes employing mechanical techniques like stretching, rolling, and flexing the skin. Moreover, oils or conditioning agents might be added to enhance the sheepskin's pliability and make it even softer.
Finishing: Finishing the sheepskin is the ultimate stage of the process, encompassing tasks such as removing excess or uneven edges, conducting quality control inspections, and applying any desired final embellishments. The sheepskin can be dyed, embossed, or treated using diverse methods to attain the desired appearance and texture.

After these steps, the sheepskin is ready to be used for various products such as clothing, footwear, accessories, or upholstery. The quality of the final product depends on the quality of the raw sheepskin and the skill and expertise involved in each step of the manufacturing process.

Regional Variety of Sheepskin

Sheepskin varies in quality and characteristics based on the region where it is produced. Here are some regional varieties of sheepskin and their common uses:

Merino Sheepskin (Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa): Merino sheepskin is highly regarded for its exceptional softness, insulation, and moisture-wicking properties. It is commonly used in the production of luxury clothing items, such as coats, jackets, and sweaters. It is also utilized in high-quality footwear, blankets, and bedding.
Icelandic Sheepskin (Iceland): Icelandic sheepskin is known for its long, thick, and lustrous wool. It is frequently used in making cozy rugs, throws, and seat covers. The long fibers provide excellent warmth and a distinct rustic appearance.
Toscana Sheepskin (Italy): Toscana sheepskin, often referred to as shearling, features a unique curly wool texture on one side and soft suede on the other. It is widely used in the fashion industry for making stylish jackets, vests, and accessories like hats and gloves.
Gotland Sheepskin (Sweden): Gotland sheepskin is recognized for its silky, wavy, and lustrous wool. It is often used in interior design applications, such as decorative rugs, cushions, and upholstery. Its distinct silver-gray color adds an elegant touch to any space.
Tibetan Sheepskin (Himalayan region): Tibetan sheepskin, also known as Tibetan lamb fur, has long, curly wool with natural crimps. It is utilized in fashion and interior design for creating fluffy rugs, throws, pillows, and decorative accents.
Navajo-Churro Sheepskin (North America): Navajo-Churro sheepskin comes from a heritage breed known for its durable wool. It is commonly used in traditional Native American crafts, including weaving blankets, rugs, and clothing items.

These are just a few examples of regional sheepskin varieties and their typical applications. The uses may vary depending on the specific characteristics and qualities of the sheepskin produced in each region.

Uses of Sheepskin

Sheepskin has a wide range of uses due to its desirable properties such as softness, insulation, and durability. Here are some common uses of sheepskin:

Clothing and Accessories: Sheepskin is popularly used in the production of clothing and accessories. It is used to make jackets, coats, vests, hats, gloves, and boots. Sheepskin garments provide warmth, comfort, and a luxurious feel.
Footwear: Sheepskin is widely used in footwear, particularly in the form of sheepskin boots or slippers. The natural insulation of sheepskin helps keep feet warm in cold weather while allowing breathability.
Home Decor: Sheepskin is used for various home decor purposes. It is often used as rugs or throws, adding a cozy and luxurious touch to living spaces. Sheepskin cushions and seat covers are also popular choices for adding comfort and style to furniture.
Bedding: Sheepskin can be used in bedding products such as mattress toppers, pillows, and blankets. The softness and natural insulation of sheepskin contribute to a comfortable and cozy sleeping environment.
Baby Products: Sheepskin is commonly used in baby products due to its softness and hypoallergenic properties. Sheepskin rugs, blankets, and stroller liners provide a soft and comfortable surface for infants.
Medical and Therapeutic Use: Medical-grade sheepskin is used in healthcare settings to prevent bedsores and provide comfort to patients. It helps distribute pressure, allows air circulation, and regulates temperature.
Upholstery: Sheepskin can be used in upholstery applications for furniture, car seats, and other seating surfaces. It adds a plush and luxurious texture to the upholstery while providing comfort.
Sporting Goods: Sheepskin is used in various sporting goods, such as saddle pads, horse rugs, and bike seat covers. The natural properties of sheepskin provide comfort, moisture-wicking, and shock absorption.

These are just a few examples of the many uses of sheepskin. It's versatility and desirable qualities make it a sought-after material in various industries and applications.