The leather industry in India is the oldest manufacturing industry in the country. This industry is high on employment generation and provides jobs to around 4.4 million people. With consistent high export earnings, this industry is one of India’s top 10 forex earners.

India ranks amongst the best locations for leather production because raw materials are available in abundance. Around 11% of the world’s goat and sheep population and 20% of the world’s buffalo and cattle population exist in India, providing an essential raw material for this industry.

Production Centres in India

The major production centres for leather and leather products are spread across various cities and states in India. Kolkata, Ambur, Chennai, Kanpur, Bangalore, Agra, Hyderabad, Ranipet, Trichy, and Delhi are the major leather production centres of India. 

The Indian leather industry is blessed with the huge availability of raw materials. A huge population of cattle, goats, and buffalo is present in India. According to the latest census, India is in the top rank in livestock holding. This livestock provides the raw materials required for the leather industry.

Let us now know about each of the cities that are famous for their leather industries. 

• Kolkata: The capital city of the state of West Bengal, Kolkata is the major educational and commercial centre of eastern India. It also holds the position of second most important tanning centre in India. 
• Agra: Located on the banks of the Yamuna river, Agra is known as one of the famous cities for leather products.
• Ambur: It is situated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.  The city is home to a major leather tanning industry and has even got its nickname as the “leather city of south India”.
• Chennai: The biggest industrial and commercial centre of India, Chennai contributes more than 50% of the total Indian exports.  
• Unnao: Situated in Uttar Pradesh, the city is 60 km from Lucknow and 18 km from Kanpur. It holds the biggest tanning industry and is widely known for its mass leather industry. Many of the big manufacturers of leather and leather products have their industry in Unnao city like Rahman exports, Superhouse group, and Mirza tanners, to mention a few.  
• Ranipet: The industrial hub of Vellore city, the city is home to approximately 400 small and large scale leather industries. 
• Jamjau: Also known as Jajesmow, Jamjau is a district situated in Kanpur. It is the largest leather producer in India. The industry provides a source of living for millions of people in the district and also contributes 6000 crores of foreign exchange to the country. The city is home to the enormous tanneries in North India. 

Top 10 Leather Manufacturing Companies in India

The top 10 leather manufacturing companies in India are: 

• Liberty Shoe ltd. 
• Metro Brands ltd. 
• Bata India Ltd. 
• Bhartiya International Ltd. 
• Lakhani Armaan group
• Relaxo Footwear Ltd. 
• Farida Group 
• Mirza International Ltd. 
• Superhouse Ltd. 
• Mayur Uniquoters Ltd.

Product Segments in the Indian Leather Industry 

• Leather Goods 

The leather goods industry has a share of around 20 per cent in the leather industry of India, and the average growth rate has been around 11 per cent over the last five years. Leather goods manufactured in India are handbags, bags, wallets, gloves, industrial gloves, travel ware, belts, sports goods, etc. 

• Saddler

In India, the saddler industry was set up in the 19th century primarily to serve the needs of the police and the military. And now, this industry is expanded to over 150 units in the organised sector, and majorly these units are export-oriented. Kanpur is the major production centre of saddlery products in India and accounts for 95 per cent of the total saddlery exports in India.

• Footwear

India produces around 700 million pairs of shoes per annum and is the second-largest footwear manufacturer in the world. Footwear has a share of 18 per cent of the total leather exports. Indian leather manufacturers produce and export several varieties of shoes like casuals, moccasins, dress shoes, sports shoes, sandals, and booties. 

• Garments 

The leather garment industry holds a prominent seat in the leather sector of India. Products like long coats, jackets, pants, shirts, garments for children, biker jackets, and industrial leather garments are manufactured in India. Majorly these products are exported to countries like Germany.

Conclusion 

The Indian leather industry has high growth potential in exports and holds a huge domestic market. Holding a noteworthy place in the Indian economy, the industry is well known for maintaining consistency in the export market and is also among the top foreign exchange earners for the country. Kanpur is the largest centre of the leather industry.

The government of India has recognised the leather sector as the focus sector due to its vast potential for further growth in the exports of the country and in generating employment too. Apart from employment generation, the leather industry is among the top contributors to forex reserves in India. A number of leather products are manufactured in India, such as bags, wallets, gloves, travel ware, belts, sports goods, leather bridles, western saddles,  long coats, jackets, pants, shirts, moccasins, dress shoes, sports shoes, sandals, and many more.