The Rwandan market is off the board. The export ban has been imposed as of December 31, 2005, and at least until now there is no sign that the government will entertain a revision of their position. The hide and skin exporters in Rwanda have closed down and fired their workers. Prices on the Rwandan raw market have dropped as the tannery is squeezing the suppliers for the last drop of blood. The monopoly seems to work to their advantage at least for now. Things will change as structures fall into place to replace the loss of exports of raw hides and skins from Rwanda.
