Goat hides

Goat hides

　　　　Fuyang white goats belong to the Huaibei white goat breed. They are known for their ability to thrive on coarse feed, strong disease resistance, high fertility, rapid reproduction, high slaughter rate, and delicious meat. The hides of these white goats are fine-grained, have good layering properties, and produce soft, lustrous, durable, and aesthetically pleasing finished products. As a result, they enjoy a high reputation in both domestic and international markets and have been a sought-after commodity among merchants for many years. Farmers in Fuyang have long had the tradition of raising goats. Before the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, although goat raising was restricted, the annual number raised still reached several tens of thousands. After the session, especially in recent years, the development of the rural economy has enabled farmers to recognize the value of goat rearing, leading to rapid growth in the industry. The year-end inventory consistently ranges between 200,000 and 400,000 goats, with an annual production of over 400,000 commercial goat hides, peaking at 700,000 (including imports from other regions), ranking among the top in the province. Fuyang is one of the national bases for goat hide production and also a distribution hub for goat hides. In the past, goat hides from Fuyang were purchased by foreign trade agencies and then exported to European countries via ports such as Shanghai and Wuhan, generating over a million yuan in foreign exchange earnings annually. Today, the abundant resource reserve acts like a magnet, attracting numerous overseas merchants. Currently, there are joint ventures such as the Sino-Italian Canty Tannery and the Sino-Hong Kong Feilong Tanning Co., Ltd., which together process over 200,000 goat hides annually. Local processing significantly increases the value of the hides, benefiting not only foreign buyers but also local goat farmers.

( Fuyang)