Leather garments form a significant segment of the Leather Industry in India. Leather garments production capacity is estimated to be 16 million pieces annually. India produces different types of leather garments i.e., jackets, long coats, waist coats/shirts, pant/shorts, motorbike jackets, industrial leather garments, leather aprons etc.

India is the second largest producer of leather garments, next only to China, which produces 70 million pieces of the total global trade volume of about 120 million pieces. 

It is a matter of great pride that Indian leather garments have been making giant strides in the world of fashion. National Institute of Fashion Technology and National Institute of Design lends design support to make continuous fashion statements. These Institutes provides well trained personnel and imaginative designers. India’s acknowledged strength is leather tanning and its ability to produce a wide variety of fashion leathers.

In 2002, the global leather garments import declined to US$ 4232.43 million.  Since then, there has been a downward trend in global consumption of leather garments. In 2007, the global leather garments imports touched US$ 3918.49 million.  During 2007, India’s share in global leather garments import stands at 8.78%

Source: ITC, Geneva & DGCI & S, Kolkata

India’s export of Leather Garments touched US$ 426.15 million during 2008-09, with a share of 11.84% in country’s total export from leather sector.

India’s position as the fourth largest global supplier of leather garments is only going to strengthen given the availability of quality raw material coupled with skilled craftsmanship. 

Major markets for Indian leather garments are the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Austria, Denmark, Russia, Greece, Sweden and Portugal.  These 18 countries account for a share of 92.42% in India’s total leather garments exports.

In the global leather garments imports, the USA alone accounts for a share of 22%, followed by Germany 12% and France 7.30%

Major brands like Pierre Cardin, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, DKNY, Hugo boss, Liz Claiborne, Ann Taylor, Nautica, Kenneth Cole, Charter Club, Daniel Hector source Leather Garments from India.  With modern technology with state-of-the-art machinery installed in the production units, India is come to be recognized as a major producer of quality leather garments in the globe.  Leather Garments industry’s accelerated development and growth is being aided by the capacity expansion and modernization efforts of the private industry and the Government of India’s encouraging policy measures.

India’s Export of Leather Garments – Country-wise

                                                             (Value in Million US$)