What are the Types of Leather Products Manufactured in India?

The leather industry in India is among the oldest in the world and accounts for around 13% of the overall leather production. It also is a major contributor to the GDP of the country. This industry focuses on employment generation and provides jobs to around 4.4 million people. With consistent high export earnings, this industry is one of the top 10 forex earners for India.

The abundance of raw material, low cost of labour, extensive and well-established sales and distribution network, and relatively favourable government policies make India a major hub for the flourishing leather industry. The country accounts for around 11% of the global goat and sheep population and 20% of the world’s buffalo and cattle population. India has an estimated 2,000 tanneries, with a major number of these in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Leather Exports From India

The leather industry in India has grown from a mere raw material supplier to a value-added product exporter. This has led to the emergence of various local brands that compete with the many international leather brands that have their manufacturing units in the country.

• In 2019-20, the exports from India stood at US $5.07 billion.

• During the FY 2019-20, the major exports were to the US (17.22%), Germany (11.98%), the UK (10.43%), Italy (6.33%), and France (5.94%).

• In April 2021 alone, the export of leather products stood at US $289.56 million.

Industry Scenario

The export share of leather products is mentioned below:

• Leather accessories: 25.2%

• Saddlery: 4.6%

• Leather garments: 14.4%

• Footwear: 46.2%

• Finished Leather: 6.7%

Product segments in the Indian leather industry

• Leather Goods

Leather goods account for 20 per cent in the leather industry in India, and the average growth rate has been around 11 per cent over the last five years. The main leather goods manufactured in India are handbags, bags, wallets, gloves, industrial gloves, travel ware, belts, sports goods etc. These range from economical personal leather accessories to designer collections.

• Saddler

In India, saddle manufacturing commenced in the 19th century primarily to serve the needs of the cavalry in the police force and the military. This is now a fast growing segment, with over 150 units in the organised sector, majorly focused on exports. Kanpur is the major production centre of saddlery products in India and accounts for 95 per cent of the total saddlery exports in the country.

 Products like leather browbands, leather bridles, western saddles etc. are manufactured in India. These products have a major demand in countries like the U.S., Germany, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, France, and New Zealand.

• 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. Most of the variety of shoes are exported to the U.S. and Europe.

• Garments

Leather garments account for a significant share in the Indian leather industry. Products like long coats, jackets, pants, shirts, garments for children, biker jackets, and industrial leather garments are manufactured in India. These products are mainly exported to countries like Germany.

Production Centres in India

The production centres for leather products are spread across various cities in India. Kolkata, Ambur, Chennai, Kanpur, Bangalore, Jalandhar, Hyderabad, Ranipet, Trichy, and Delhi are the major production centres in the country. These cities are characterised by a large population of livestock.

Top Leather Companies in India

Here are some of the top leather companies in India:

• Liberty Shoe Ltd

• Metro Brands Ltd

• Bata India Ltd

• Bhartiya International Ltd

• Metro Brands Ltd

• Lakhani Armaan Group

• Relaxo Footwear Ltd

Here are some of the major factors that make the leather industry one of the fastest growing industries in India:

• Easy access  and abundance of raw materials

• Attractive government policies

• Cheap and skilled labour in India

• Skill development and capacity building programs

• Rapid improvement in modernisation and expansion

• Tax concessions provided by the government

• 100 per cent FDI approved through automatic route

• Di-licensed leather industry of India which supports expansion on modern lines

Conclusion

The manufacturing industries provide employment to a large number of people, with the leather industry alone providing employment to around 4.4 million people in India. Apart from employment generation, the leather industry is among the top contributors to the 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.