Dearth of raw material affects leather sector

20 Apr '10

2 min read

Mounting exports and smuggling of live animals to Iran and Afghanistan has resulted in the shortage of hides and skin, which has affected the tanneries and leather garment units of the country drastically. Every week around 400 truck-loads of live animals are being transported across western borders.

In addition to this, as per animal traders and owners of tanneries, loss of live animals in Malakand and Swat divisions in large numbers, last year, resulted in a shortage of these animals in the country. Currently, the country is facing shortage of all kinds of live animals.

Dearth of hides and skin, due to the exports and smuggling of animals, is taking its toll on the leather and leather garment industry that, brought in a considerable amount of foreign exchange in to the country and provided livelihood to thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Shortage of live animals is also increasing the prices of hide and skin in the country. Despite being an agricultural based country, Pakistan has just 2.5 percent annual growth rate in the number of animals.

According to the animal dealers, compared to earlier days, animal slaughtering has reduced to more than half these days. On account of hide and skin shortage, the leather garment industry is facing a shortage in raw materials and thereby, failed to complete their export orders on time during the ongoing peak season of the industry.

Though there was a strong opposition for withdrawal of ban on live animals export, the government granted permission for controlled and scrutinized supply of fix export quotas.

But as the issue of determining the stock of live animals is still unresolved, smuggling of animals as well as their exports continues in an uncontrolled manner. The ministry of commerce was against the removal of ban on export of live animals, while lifting the ban was supported by the ministry of livestock and dairy development.

Around 70,000 NOCs for live animal export to Gulf and Middle East countries had been issued from July to March of the current fiscal.

Fibre2fashion News Desk

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