According to data released by the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the country’s leather exports fell 8.32% to $152.11 million in April 2005, compared with $165.91 million in April 2004. Results showed that exports of finished leather fell by 22.82% to $37.61 million compared with $48.74 million in the same period in 2004. Footwear component exports fell by 77.06% to $2.87 million, leather garment exports declined by 20.66% to $9.09 million and saddlery and harnesses slipped 0.94% to $4.39 million.

However, on a more positive note, leather footwear exports increased by 11.23% to $46.07 million and non-leather footwear exports rose 62.88% to $6.39 million from $ 41.42 million and $3.92 million respectively in April 2004. Exports of leathergoods also increased to reach $45.69 million, an increase of 5.02% from the $43.50 million recorded in the same month last year.

Total exports during April-March 2004-05 stood at $2.379 billion up from $2.216 billion in the corresponding period last year - showing an overall growth of 7.35%.

Meanwhile, India imported $22.12 million worth of raw hide and skins and leather from compared with $15.48 million in the same period last year. Total imports increased 14.58% to reach $253 million from $220.81 million in the same period a year earlier.