Importing $294.06 million worth of leather and leather goods, Italy was the largest buyer of Indian leather and leather goods during the nine-month period April to December 2006, an increase of 40.42% year-on-year, followed by Germany at $292.6 million (+11.96%), the UK at $259.14 million (-0.99%) and the USA at $241.56 million (-0.52%).

According to statistics released by the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the country’s total leather exports improved 10.3% during the period to reach $2.221 billion from $2.013 billion in same nine-month period a year earlier.

A breakdown of the figures showed that leather footwear exports improved 20.23% to reach $665.91 million from $553.87 million in April to December 2005, finished leather exports increased 9.06% to $520.04 million from $476.86 million, footwear components rose 23.55% to $163.89 million from $132.64 million, leather goods exports grew 6.15% to $525.03 million from $494.63 million, and saddlery & harnesses improved 7.34% to $60.11 million from $56 million.

On a less positive note, leather garment exports slipped 6.91% to $243.48 million from $261.56 million.