Handicrafts exports up 29 per cent in July

NEW DELHI: Handicrafts exports jumped by about 29 per cent year-on-year to USD 155 million in July on the back of rise in demand not only from western markets, but also from new markets like Middle East and Latin America.

The exports stood at USD 120 million in July last fiscal, according to the data provided by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts ( EPCH).

"Besides good demand from the US and Europe, there is an increase in orders from new markets like Africa, Latin America and Middle East," an EPCH official said.

The US and Europe together account for about 60 per cent of the country's total handicrafts shipments.

During April-July 2011-12, the handicrafts exports grew by 20.5 per cent to USD 711 million year-on-year.

Among items that registered the maximum growth in exports were woodwares, which increased 52.8 per cent in July, followed by shawls as artwares which rose by about 49 per cent, imitation jewellery which gained 42 per cent and miscellaneous handicrafts which rose by 32 per cent.

The council expects the exports to touch USD 2.7 billion in the 2011-12 fiscal.

During April-March 2010-11, handicrafts shipments jumped about 26 per cent to USD 2.3 billion as compared to the previous fiscal.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Jodhpur and Narsapur are the major handicraft hubs catering to world markets, employing one million people.