Leather exports up 17.5% in April-Jan

Chennai: Leather exports from the country have increased by 17.5 per cent during the April-January period of this fiscal against the comparable period of the 2012-13 financial year, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics.

Shipments increased to $4,861.29 million ( Rs. 29,301.6 crore) against $4,138.13 million ( Rs. 22,542.74 crore), bolstered chiefly by leather footwear exports which contributed an increase of $244.53 million.

Germany kept its position as the top importer, buying 13.09 per cent of the goods exported, while the US and the UK bought close to 11.5 per cent each.

Rafeeque Ahmed, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, said efforts are on to find buyers in China. “China is now a buyer of top branded products manufactured in India. Now, the effort is to popularise other finished goods manufactured and designed in India.”

China, contributed to only 2.6 per cent of the total exports during the April-January period.

He also said India will meet its target of $6 billion in exports during fiscal 2013-14. “During February-March, exports usually rush to meet deadlines, which lead to a spurt in shipments,” he explained.

Another industry person requesting anonymity said the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board’s move to close down tanneries in Tamil Nadu over environmental violations last year has cut back output by close to 20 per cent. He said the industry is recouping, and may scale up production once proper Zero Liquid Discharge Systems are in place.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.