India: Leather exports expected to pick up growth in 2010

Following a fall in growth of Indian leather exports in 2009, the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) said the market started to grow again from October 2009.

"Though exports increased towards the end of 2009 we expect the export turnover to reduce by 10% for 2009", said Habib Hussain, chairman, CLE. Despite the fall, the Indian leather industry should recover in 2010. An industry insider said India has been stealing market share from China and Turkey over the last few years.

 Indian tanneries produce around 2 billion square feet of leather per annum (10% of the world total) with major tanning clusters in Chennai, Ambur, Ranipet, Kolkata, Kanpur and Jalandhar. India is home to 2091 tanneries (45% in Tamil Nadu, 26% in West Bengal and 18% in Uttar Pradesh.