A halt in the production of cars has had a negative impact on the price of cattle, according to the Irish Examiner.
The fall in demand for leather products in these cars has meant some cow hides have become worthless.
Market analysts have reported that hide sales have fallen and will continue to do so, but Irish beef processors have claimed that the closure of certain markets and cheaper cuts dominating sales in retail outlets were the main market impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Irish Examiner reports that some abattoirs are making space to store hides longer than would normally be expected, hoping for prices to recover. However, this can have a detrimental impact on hide quality, and hides may end up with a disposal cost rather than a market value.
The market for animal hides has been under pressure for months, with many sheepskins being deemed worthless before the coronavirus had an impact.
