Exports of leather and leather products in 2008-09 climbed 1.41% to $3,598.64 million from $3,548.51 million in the previous year, but missed the target of $4,000 million for the year. The performance has been 89.97% of the target.

In rupee terms, exports touched Rs 16,551.32 crore, up 15.85% from Rs 14,286.57 crore, final export data for 2008-09 compiled by the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), based on the statistics released by trade journal DGC I & S reveals.

According to Habib Hussain, chairman of CLE, ?These figures are in line with the council?s assessment made earlier, considering the adverse impact of the global economic slowdown on the leather sector. It also confirms the assessment, though there is a marginal increase in the export during 2008-09, it will be way behind the envisaged target of $ 4 billion??.

Considering the current export trends and the previous growth rates, the Council has envisaged an export target of $ 7.03 billion for leather and leather products by 2013-14, he added. The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2004-09 had identified leather as a focus sector based on its export potential and scope for employment generation. The fall in exports during 2008-09 has been in finished leather, footwear components, saddlery and harness and non-leather footwear. Export of footwear, leather garments and leather goods moved up.

The export of footwear increased 5.94 % to $1,243.78 million (from $1,174.03 million), garment 23.4% to $426.15 million ( $345.34 million) and leather goods 9.1% to $873.3 million ( $800.46 million).

Ten countries together accounted for about 75% of India?s total leather and leather products exports. Germany stood at top with 14.12% followed by Italy 12.82%, the UK 11.48%, the US 9.98%, Hong Kong 6.61%, Spain 6.09%, France 6.14%, Netherlands 4.1%, UAE 2.38% and Australia 1.55%.

The Council has been conducting road shows and buyer-seller meets in countries like Japan, Spain, Italy, the US, Australia, New Zealand , some of the African countries and participating in all the leading international fairs. The steps aim to increase the market share in these countries and to enter new markets, CLE sources said.

According to the port-wise compilation of the export data by CLE for 2008-09, the southern region continued to lead with 38.79%, followed by the western region 19.41%, eastern region 15.07%, northern region 11.93%, and central region 3.05%.