In the Fiscal Year 2013 (which in India is between April 1 and March 31), India achieved a growth of 3%. The total exports of leather and leather products (including leather footwear) reached the $ 5 million dollars, for the first time.

Leather industry predicts a growth between 15 to 20 percent during the current financial year (2013-2014). According to the CLE (Council of Leather Exports) last year‘s (2012-2013) exports of leather and related products reached $ 4 996,91 million ($ 4 879,5 million in 2011), which represented an increase by 2,53%.

Leather, products and derivatives have retained their growth dynamics in FY13. The same has not happened with other sectors, such as clothing, for example. The same goes for the footwear industry – one of the most prevalent Indian exports-registered a decline of 1, 98% compared with the previous fiscal year.

The three major exporting markets of leather are Germany, the United Kingdom and the USA. Exports to markets such as the USA, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, Denmark, Canada, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have shown positive growth during the previous fiscal year. However, the declining trend was more prevalent in countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Holland, Greece, South Africa and Portugal.

According Rajendra K Jalan, Chairman of CLE, the projected growth can only happen if they are using aggressive marketing. “Considering the expected good winter sales in Europe this year, we anticipate a 15-20 per cent export growth during 2013-14,  but to achieve this we need to undertake concerted and aggressive marketing efforts.”