Nepal's pashmina exports rise significantly

19 Apr '12

2 min read

A significant increase of 66.9 percent has been observed in exports of chyangra pashmina from Nepal to countries other than India, during the first seven months of the Nepali fiscal that began on July 16, 2011.

As per the statistics of the central bank, Nepal exported chyangra pashmina worth Np Rs. 1.87 billion during the seven month period as against exports of Np Rs. 1.12 billion during the corresponding period of last fiscal. The exports of chyangra pashmina were worth Np Rs. 943.9 million during the same period in 2009-10.

The Nepali Pashmina Industries Association said the rise in pashmina exports to countries other than India indicates that chyangra pashmina has been able to develop its brand image in the global market.

Pashmina exports to India, however, declined by 37.2 percent year-on-year to Np Rs. 21.4 million during the period under review. Nepal's pashmina exports to India were worth Np Rs. 34.1 million in the first seven months of Nepali fiscal 2010-11.

Pashmina is a soft and warm fibre derived from chyangra sheep found in the mountain region of Nepal. It was once in high demand globally, but the introduction of imitated pashmina wool adversely impacted Nepal's pashmina industry.

To bring back the ailing pashmina industry to life, the chyangra label was introduced to build a brand image as well as to help consumers differentiate the original pashmina from the imitated one. This move has helped pashmina industry to increase its exports.

The Nepal Government has sanctioned a budget of Np Rs. 3 million for promotion and publicity of chyangra brand in the domestic market this year.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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