Leather Accessories  »  Leather Industry

Leather Industry occupies a place of prominence in the world economy in view of its massive potential for employment, growth and exports. Leather is one of the oldest and the most prominent industries in India. In the last five decades, the industry has undergone a complete metamorphosis and is today on the forefront of net foreign exchange earners for the country.

The trade component of the value chain of leather products knows no boundaries— whether national or continental. Hides from South America may be processed in India and end products may be sold in Europe or the US. Garments made from New Zealand goatskins may be manufactured in the Asian countries subcontinent and sold in the United States.

Leather Industry's major areas include:

• Leather process technology
• Effluent treatment
• Leather chemicals
• Product design and quality standardization
• Value addition to by-products and
• Improving/supplying the trained manpower required for different sectors of the industry

WTO Related information:
Italy is the leader in the global leather and leather products trade. This is followed by China, USA and Korea. The leather industry is highly fragmented in both the developing and developed countries. This industry has been facing serious problems of non-availability of raw material and growing consciousness for eco-friendly products inputs. India leather production is placed at nearly 10 million tonnes, which accounts for about 6% of world. Its share in world trade in leather products, according to a recent estimate is only US $ 68 billion which is only 2.3%. The NAFTA countries - USA, Canada and Mexico- produce 36% of the world's leather followed by Europe at 26%, South America at 22%, Asia at 11% and South Africa at 5%.

India's top 10 buying countries for leather goods and accessories:

• U.S.A.
• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Netherlands
• U.A.E.
• Canada
• Russia
• Australia

Leather Accessories: Indian Market:
Product Range: Wallets, Handbags, Purses, Belts, Key Chains, Spectacle Cases, Passport Folders, Hand Gloves, Travel Ware, Suitcases, Portfolios

Important Production Centers in India:

• Chennai
• Delhi
• Jallandhar
• Kanpur
• Kolkata
• Mumbai

Top 10 Buying Countries:
U.S.A., Germany, U K., Italy, Netherlands, France, Spain, Russia, Canada and Sweden.

Export value: India's total export value for leather accessories (April-March 2003-04) was US$ 469.49 million.