Pakistan reports change in taste in EU
Pakistan’s exports of leather apparel declined by approximately 11% during the first half of the current fiscal over the corresponding period last year.
Fawad Ijaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PLGMEA) told local media that due to strong demand from China, prices of hide and skins had surged on the world markets which also impacted domestic prices upward.
“With rising purchasing power, Chinese consumers prefer leathergoods particularly garments such as jackets, jeans and gloves over artificial leather apparels,” Mr Khan said.
He said that in the past the majority of leather apparel from Pakistan was exported to EU countries but after the eurozone crisis, a change in consumers’ tastes was observed.
“High price of leather apparel has forced the European consumers to opt for cheaper products made from artificial leather and this has adversely affected our exports in the traditional EU market,” he said. “China has never been a traditional market for leather garments but has witnessed a strong demand owing to the strong middle class.”
