Exports of leather and leather products increased by 22 per cent to $3.488 billion in the first six months of the current financial year from $2.869 billion in the same months in the previous year.
As per the available data, all the products segments — finished leather, footwear, footwear components, leather garments, leather goods and saddlery and harness items — posted positive growth in rupee and dollar terms. Shipments in the second quarter increased by 10 per cent when compared with the first quarter.
Though Germany, the U.K., the U.S., Italy and France are the major markets, big firms such as the Farida group have been exporting footwear to China. Smaller firms such as N.R. Leather Exports make shipments to Indonesia and Korean markets.
“Going by the growth rate, we will be able to reach an export value of $7.32 billion during the current year, which will be a major achievement,” Council for Leather Exports (CLE) Chairman Rajendra K. Jalan.Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Rafeeque M. Ahmed said the country had been posting 22 per cent growth consistently in leather exports and it augured well for the industry. To cover organised as well as unorganised sector and export as well as domestic markets, the CLE had initiated a vigorous process of mapping the leather and products industry by commissioning studies on four areas — raw hides and skins, tanning industry; leather products; footwear; and domestic retail industry in India for footwear, leather goods and accessories.
The study, to be undertaken by four agencies, would cover production data, turnover, manpower involved in the sector and clusters, among other things. The CLE had requested the Centre to fund the study, Mr. Jalan said.
