Leather industry occupies a predominant place in India, being the second largest producer next to China. The industry is equipped with a potentialfor employment generation, growth and exports, with the annual exports touching2 billion USD. The industry experienced a positive metamorphosis from being amere transporter of raw materials to an established exporter of value added andfinished leather products. Currently it is on an ever increasing phase withoptimum utilization of available raw materials and maximum returns fromexports.
Indian Leather Industry:
Indian leather industry is one among the top 8 industriesfor export revenue generation in India, holding 10% of the global raw material,and 2% of the global trade. India is the biggest livestock producer in theworld, with the capacity of 1.8 billion square feet of leather productionannually. 13% of the global footwear production comprising of 16 billion pairsare made in India. India makes 2065 million pairs of various categories offootwear. It exports 115 million pairs, thus having 95% of its production tomeet its own domestic demand.
Main leather exports comprise of skins and hides such ascow, sheep nappa, goat skin and wet blue. Footwear, leather gloves, garments,handbags, purses, wallets, and briefcases are some of the products exported.Major production centers in India are Ranipet, Ambur, and Chennai in TamilNadu, Mumbai in Maharashtra, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Agra, Delhi, Ludhiana,Sonepat, Pune, Kolkata, Calicut and Ernakulum.
ProminentBrands in the Indian Market:
Acme, Clarks, ColeHann, Deichmann, Ecco, Elefanten,Florsheim, Gabor, Hasley, Hush Puppies, Double H, Justin, Marks & Spencer,Nautica, Nike, Nunn Bush, Reebok, Salamander, Stacy Adams, Tony, Lama, Next,Bally are the prominent brands sourced from India. Red Tape, Bata, Liberty, Khadims, Lakhani, Metro, Action are some Indian brands that have a wellestablished market in India. Aldo, Bally, Clarks, Ecco, Florshiem, Ferragammo,Hush Puppies, Lee cooper, Lloyd, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Nine West, NewBalance, Reebok, Rockport, Stacy Adams are a few notable leather product brandssold in India.
Export Market for Indian Leathers:
To augment the footwear sector, Indian Government has comeup with numerous initiatives. Footwear sector is now de-licensed andde-reserved, providing expansion of capacities on modern lines withstate-of-the-art machinery. Government has also permitted 100% Foreign DirectInvestment through the automatic route for the footwear sector. Nearly 75% ofthe leather products exported from India goes to EU and US.
Leather Exports from India to various countries 2008-09
Initially the process of tanning the hide or skin and
transforming it into leather was a long and cumbersome process. But currently,
with the advancement of technology, the time taken to process the leather and
convert them into finished product has minimized to a matter of days. To keep
pace with the consumers preferences, and demand, quality, variety and
consistency of the leather items are kept in focus. Indian leather industry has
now launched itself successfully as a money-spinning technology with scientific
principles.
Indian leather industry has the credit of being one of the
oldest manufacturing industries catering to the global market from the 19th
century. The age of the industry has linked it with social and organizational
structure, and emerges as a complex one with elements of continuity and
traditional structures. The ultimate quality of the Indian leather combined with
efficient craftsmanship has secured a sturdy place for Indian leather goods in
the global market. Indian leather industry is getting more organized, with a
springing capacity for expansion.
References:
1. http://www.leatherindia.org
2. http://www.indianleatherdigest.com/
3. http://www.indianleatherportal.com
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