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Indian Leather In view of its immense potential for employment, growth and exports, leather industry occupies an important place in Indian economy. The sector is spread across the formal as well as informal sectors and produces a comprehensive range of products from raw hides to fashionable shoes. After India ranks at the third place amongst the leather production and export countries. With over US$ 4 billion of output, India’s exports value is at an estimate of over US$ 2.4 billion. India is the largest livestock holding country (21% large animals and 11% small animals). The industry employs about 2.5 million people of which nearly 30% are women. It is a source for over 10% of the global leather requirement. Below are the ballpark figures: |
Leather Exporter History
The history of leather tanning in India dates back to 3000 BC. Tanning in the rural areas is done by indigenous techniques, making the use of this material easier. The most popular Indian leather products include footwear and hand bags. The footwear comes in various designs of traditional embroidery, brocade or textile. Bright colors and unique designs are used. The all time favorite, kholapuri chappals of Maharashtra, are soft and very comfortable to wear. A special type of thickish shoes, called mojadis are designed in Rajasthan. They are decorated with silk, beads and metal embroidery. Jaipur is famous for its fancy and sophisticated footwear.Bengal is famous for its handbags in batik style with cracks, bold curves, and traditional motifs. Being very ornamental, Kashmiri leather items are very popular among buyers the world across. |
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he red leather embroidered with gold and silk is done in Madhya Pradesh. In Hoshiarpur (Punjab), appliqué work is made in colored leather pieces. Leather with silvery finish or metallic gold is done in Karnataka.The post liberalization era has opened up floodgates of opportunities for the Indian leather industry. With global players looking for new sourcing options (in addition to China), the country is uniquely positioned to gain a bigger share of the global market. Renowned brands from the US and Europe are planning to import leather and leather products from India. Global players who took part at the India International Leather Fair, 2005, consider India as the market to be in.
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Leather Exporter Details
The export of leather and leather products increased manifold over the past decades. The export increased from Rs. 290 mn in 1956-57 and from Rs. 30760 mn in 1991-92 to Rs. 140007.33 mn in 2007-08.Today the industry ranks 8th in the export trade in terms of foreign exchange earnings of the country. Over the years the composition of exports of leather and leather products has also undergone a structural change, from merely an exporter of raw material in the sixties to that of value added products in nineties. At present the value added products constitute about 80% of the total exports from the industry.A majority of the industry’s units are SMEs. Industrial structure, which has been predominantly unorganized and decentralized, is gearing up remarkably. 60-65 % of production comes from small/cottage sectors. The Indian leather industry is organized as: Tanning and finishing, footwear & footwear components, leather garments, leather goods & accessories (bags, wallets, belts, gloves) and Saddlery & harness articles. |
Strengths of Indian leather sector:
- Own raw material source – 2 billion sq ft of leather produced annually
- Some varieties of goat / calf / sheep skins command premium position
- Strong and eco-sustainable tanning base & Modernized manufacturing units
- Trained / skilled manpower at competitive wage levels
- World-class institutional support for Human Resources Development and R & D activities
- Presence of support industries like leather chemicals and finishing auxiliaries
- Presence in major markets – Long Europe experience
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