Leather exports jump 11.6% in April

NEW DELHI: India's leather exports jump 11.6 per cent to USD 367 million in the first month of the current fiscal compared to the same period previous year, on account of rising demand from western markets like the US and EU.

In April, 2012, these exports stood at USD 328 million, according to the data provided by the Council for Leather Exports ( CLE).

"In April, the exporters have got good number of orders owing to growing demand for leather items in the US market. Also, the European market is picking up now," a CLE official said.

"We expect leather exports to grow up to 20 per cent in the current fiscal," he added.

The major markets for leather and its products are the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

Among the items which witnessed growth in April 2013, leather garments saw maximum jump of 23 per cent, followed by leather goods 21 per cent, saddlery and harness 17.4 per cent, leather footwear 13 per cent and footwear components 9.3 per cent.

Besides, the official said, there is a good demand for leather products in emerging markets like China, Japan, Africa and Latin America.

During 2012-13, leather exports grew over 4 per cent year-on-year to USD 5 billion in 2012-13.