Leather industry occupies a predominant place in India, being the second largest producer next to China. The industry is equipped with a potential
for employment generation, growth and exports, with the annual exports touching
2 billion USD. The industry experienced a positive metamorphosis from being a
mere transporter of raw materials to an established exporter of value added and
finished leather products. Currently it is on an ever increasing phase with
optimum utilization of available raw materials and maximum returns from
exports.
Indian Leather Industry:
Indian leather industry is one among the top 8 industries
for export revenue generation in India, holding 10% of the global raw material,
and 2% of the global trade. India is the biggest livestock producer in the
world, with the capacity of 1.8 billion square feet of leather production
annually. 13% of the global footwear production comprising of 16 billion pairs
are made in India. India makes 2065 million pairs of various categories of
footwear. It exports 115 million pairs, thus having 95% of its production to
meet its own domestic demand.
Main leather exports comprise of skins and hides such as
cow, sheep nappa, goat skin and wet blue. Footwear, leather gloves, garments,
handbags, purses, wallets, and briefcases are some of the products exported.
Major production centers in India are Ranipet, Ambur, and Chennai in Tamil
Nadu, Mumbai in Maharashtra, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Agra, Delhi, Ludhiana,
Sonepat, Pune, Kolkata, Calicut and Ernakulum.
Prominent
Brands in the Indian Market:
Acme, Clarks, ColeHann, Deichmann, Ecco, Elefanten,
Florsheim, Gabor, Hasley, Hush Puppies, Double H, Justin, Marks & Spencer,
Nautica, Nike, Nunn Bush, Reebok, Salamander, Stacy Adams, Tony, Lama, Next,
Bally are the prominent brands sourced from India. Red Tape, Bata, Liberty, Khadims, Lakhani, Metro, Action are some Indian brands that have a well
established market in India. Aldo, Bally, Clarks, Ecco, Florshiem, Ferragammo,
Hush Puppies, Lee cooper, Lloyd, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Nine West, New
Balance, Reebok, Rockport, Stacy Adams are a few notable leather product brands
sold in India.
Export Market for Indian Leathers:
To augment the footwear sector, Indian Government has come
up with numerous initiatives. Footwear sector is now de-licensed and
de-reserved, providing expansion of capacities on modern lines with
state-of-the-art machinery. Government has also permitted 100% Foreign Direct
Investment through the automatic route for the footwear sector. Nearly 75% of
the leather products exported from India goes to EU and US.
