The leather industry has a place of prominence in the Indian economy due to substantial export earnings and growth. Leather forms a vital part in the fashion and furniture industry. Footwear manufacture consumes a major share of the leather produced in India.
The Indian leather industry accounts for around 12.93 per cent of the world’s leather production of hides/skins.
Exports
Total leather good exports from India stood at US$ 2.27 billion during April-August 2019.
During April-August 2019, the major markets for Indian leather products were US (16.73 per cent), Germany (12.31 per cent), UK (11.41 per cent), Italy (7.48 per cent), and France (5.54 per cent.
During April-August 2019, exported products include leather footwear component (US$ 115.19 million), leather garments (US$ 190.07 million), finished leather exports (US$ 237.69 million), leather footwear (US$ 937.13 million) and leather goods (US$ 584.37 million).