Russia acts to curb raw material and finished leather exports
In a move aimed at supporting the country’s leather and leather goods producers, the Russian government has applied a duty of 500 euros ($423) per tonne on the export of all leather raw materials and finished leathers.
Speaking to the press last week, deputy prime minister and finance minister Aleksey Kudrin attributed the decision to Europe’s problems with foot and mouth disease.
"This is an exceptional situation (which) has prompted a sharp rise in prices for the product," Kudrin said. "Domestic leather producers could be left without the raw material they need."
The measures follow on from recent protests to the government by the Russian leather trade (see leatherbiz.com story Russian leather trade protests at government inaction on hide exports) and the introduction of similar duties by the Ukrainian government (see Ukraine moves to plug hide export loophole - 21.5). The new duties will remain in force until the end of the year when their effectiveness will be evaluated.
