The United Kingdom (UK) was the largest consumer of Indian leather and products during the period April to October 2005. The UK's total imports from the Indian leather sector stood at $192.46 million compared with $160.56 million in same period last year. The second largest buyer was Germany with total imports of $185.91 million, followed by the USA at $171.37 million, Italy at $145.64 million, Hong Kong at $136.98 million and Spain at $100.23 million compared with $177.69 million, $181.12 million, $125.02 million, $150.07 million and $91.52 million respectively for the same period in 2004.

During the period India’s leather sector recorded a 5.37% rise in earnings which was largely attributed to higher exports of leather footwear.

According to the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, during the period of April to October, India’s leather footwear exports increased 22.98% to $389.83 million from $316.99 million in the comparable period a year earlier. This was followed by footwear components which posted a 6.07% increase to reach $99.18 million from $93.50 million; leathergoods which registered 7.23% growth to reach $353.95 million from $330.08 million; and saddlery & harness by 27.86% to $42.97 million from $33.618 million.

However, exports of finished leather fell by 3.91% to $332.897 million from $346.42 million, leather garments by 7.50% to $184.76 million from $199.74 million and non-leather footwear by 28.19% to $26.45 million from $36.83 in corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, imports of raw hides & skins and finished leather rose 4.63% to $152.41 million from $145.67 million in the corresponding period last year.