India exported leather and leather products worth $571.14 million in the period April-June 2005 compared with $551.63 million in corresponding period last year an increase of 3.54%. According to officials from the Indian Leather Council, this is the highest growth seen in the first quarter of the financial year for the last five years.

According to a breakdown of figures, released by Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, from April-June leather footwear exports increased by 18.7% to $158.26 million from $133.32 million, followed by footwear components which rose 10.13% to $40.54 million from $36.81 million. Leather goods grew by 4.13% to $141.19 million from $135.60 million, saddlery and harnesses increased 20.01% to $16.58 million from $13.81 million and non-leather footwear went up by 24.34% to $17.67 million from $14.21 in corresponding period last year.

However, on a less positive note, finished leather exports fell by 8.94% to $142.01 million and leather garments by 11.36% to $54.88 million from $155.96 million and $61.92 million respectively in the same period.