During the same period, the country’s leather sector registered growth of 2.19% to $915.65 million, in terms of value, compared with $896.01 million in April to July last year.

The country recorded growth of 5.3% in leather footwear exports, valued at $269.79 million ($256.21 million), followed by finished leather, up 2.68% to $222.13 million ($216.34 million). Leather goods exports rose by 5.78% to $221.1 million ($209.02 million).

On the downside, leather garment exports fell 10.13% to $94.87 million from $105.56 million and saddlery & harness components fell by 19.83% to $19.22 million from $23.97 million in the four-month period.

Total imports of raw hides, skins and leather rose by 17.22% to $121.51 million ($103.66 million). Imports of raw hides and skins fell by 16.31% to $20.39 million from $24.36 million, while leather imports were up by 27.91% to reach $101.12 million from $79.3 million.