This has made more people to switch over to ``cow shoes.'' Many representatives of overseas buyers say that there is every possibility of Indian shoe industry picking up further orders because of improved quality and attractive prices and model.

The best price obtainable for the special variety is about US$30 per pair inspite of using sometimes imported leather and components. The recession witnessed the world-over has compelled even quality conscious and fashion minded buyers to go in for economy shoes which cost about US$16 to 18 per pair.

This tendency has compelled shoe manufacturers to use even the much hated pig leather (which is available at comparatively lower prices) for lining as per importers'specifications.

A Chennai-based footwear company imported pig leathers and despatched them to its factory in Bangalore sometime ago for use along with other regular leathers. When it dawned on the workers that they had to handle pig leathers they felt uneasy and protested.

There is a sort of ``allergy'' for this leather among almost all sections of the Indian society. The company had no other go except to open a separate section in Chennai for making such shoes employing only whose who have no abhorrence for this.

A local representative of a leading German importing company has stopped the export of a shoe consignment when it was found in a test that it contained Chrome VI in inner lining leather of the shoes.

There is demand for good quality tanned goat skins rejection, Langda and Paper at around Rs 110/85/145 per kg respectively, but secondary types are slow in movements. Garment suedes continue to suffer because of lack of buying support from garment manufacturers who are running out of sufficientorders. Only a small volume of business is done in suedes 4/7 at around Rs 32.00 and 3/4 at around Rs 28.00.

Nepal origin buffalo wetblue hides TR grade (17 sq ft per side or 34 sq ft per piece) were sold at around Rs 15.00 per sq ft and goat rejection average 4.25 was sold at Rs 36.00 per piece. Other offers were: wetblue goat skins 2.5/5 sq ft size 1/3 Rs 41.00, 4/5/6 Rs 35.00, and 7/8 Rs 21.00 per sq ft.

The author is a Chennai-based leather analyst