LINEAPELLI LEATHER FAIR AND CHENNAI MARKET

LINEAPELLI LEATHER FAIR AND CHENNAI MARKET


V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

Italy’s annual attraction Lineapelli Leather Fair held in Bologna from 12th to 14th October 2010, according to many tanners who visited it, was highly successful with more participants and increased volume of business concluded this year in comparison with last year. According to reports there were approximately 1100 stalls in the fair and 70% of exhibitors were from Italy and the rest from other countries and among these 50% were tanners. As usual there was display of leathers in trend selection area for the coming autumn/winter 2011-12 season, mostly in natural colours such as greens, browns and whites which was very popular and attracted fashion conscious stylists, designers and customers. The general impression is that the fair was beneficial to exporters of leather and shoes.

In the Chennai leather market, demand existed for tanned and wet blue goat skins as leather and leather products manufacturers showed interest for them. But arrivals were limited in tanned goat skins as many tanners continue to be slow in production as it is not workable. Besides this, there is more demand than supply in certain items. There was also good demand for wet blue cow hides in Erode and considerable volume of business was done in this item.

Exporters continue to buy tanned goat skins 4/7 sq.ft. grain selection at around Rs.45/-, Suede selection at around Rs.40, A/B/C linings at around Rs.30/29/28 per sq.ft. There is also good interest for Stout Suede at around Rs.35/-. There was also good movement of Rejection and Langda at different prices depending on the quality. But availability is limited and buyers find it difficult to cover their requirements.

As many leading tanners are interested in buying raw hides and skins in bulk in many important centres to fulfill their export obligations, prices have gone up considerably everywhere to the extent of Rs.140/- in places like Miraj. It is said that raw skin suppliers are taking advantage of this situation and reaping the maximum benefits.

A North Indian supplier I met said jokingly, “kabhi saas ke din to kabhi bahu ke” – Time changes – sometimes it is mother-in-law’s and sometimes it is daughter-in-law’s days. But it does not seem to be the case. The spread and progressive development of the leather and leather products industry in many parts of the country has destroyed the camaraderie that existed between suppliers and manufacturers. It is now the survival of the fittest and the fastest –whoever they are. The trend of the business has changed dramatically and drastically and things are not what they were before.

Overseas customers showed more interest for good quality Cabretta, Nappa, Suede, Upper and Lining leathers at almost unchanged and in some cases even at higher prices. The general feeling in the market is that things are improving a lot. While sheep cabretta 4/7 sq.ft. ABC was offered at around US$2.50, goat Upper ABC grade and Lining A grade were quoted at around US$2.00 and US$1.10 per sq.ft. respectively. Reputed tanners are having good business with Far East and European customers in different items at varying prices depending on the quality and selection. The following is just the indication of prices for exports.

Size per sq.ft. Substance Selection Price US $ per sq.ft. C&F

4/7 Goat upper leather 0.6/0.8 mm ABC – D – E 2.00 - 1.50 - 1.40

3/7 Goat Lining leather 0.5/0.7 mm TR1 – TR2 – TR3 1.10 - 1.00 – 0.90

4/7 Sheep Suede/Cabretta leather 0.6/0.8 mm All Suedes – LDT – Rej 2.50 - 1.90 – 1.40

5.5/9 Sheep Suede/Cabretta leather 0.8/1.00 mm All Suedes – LDT- Rej 2.75 – 2.10 – 1.50



DELHI INTERNATIONAL LEATHER FAIR 2010 CANCELLED

It is learnt from the Council for Leather Exports that the 18th Edition of Delhi International Leather Fair (DILF) 2010 scheduled from 3rd to 5th December 2010 has been cancelled by ITPO on the request of the Convenor of the DILF based on the suggestions made by the members of the leather trade and industry particularly in Northern Region due to non suitability of timings of the Fair. Many industrialists say that it is the right decision in the present time when there are so many fairs.

(Indian Leather, November 2010)
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