Chennai Leather Market - November 2018

CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET

V M Khaleelur Rahman

It has become difficult to write on the present leather market in Chennai and elsewhere in the country as there is no sign of brisk activity, no sign of improvement and no sign of happiness on the faces of tanners and exporters. Almost the same market story has to be repeated while writing about the Chennai leather market.

As usual the little demand exists for higher grades of E.I. tanned goat skins 3/5 and 4/6 sq. ft. Run/V/IF at around R.90 and 80 per sq. ft. respectively. A leading tanner paid Rs.95 for 3/5 A/B/C. There is no demand for Rejection and Langda selections. Because of this situation tanners are very cautious in their purchases of raw skins. They prefer only higher quality and higher selection raw skins in order to keep their shows running.

Even in sheep, kip and calf skins demand is limited and tanners have to struggle for marketing their articles.

Export Business

The problematic China market is quiet and the European market continues to be slow having business only in reputed marks of leading exporters in goat upper and lining leathers at around US $ 2.10 and 1.75 per sq. ft. respectively. Both garment and shoe suede leathers are also not moving easily. 

As far as Japan is concerned, one or two contracts, here and there, take place with much persuasion with customers. Concluded prices are at around JY 175 for 4/6 All Suedes and JY 100 for 4/6 Rejection suedes.

As regards the recently held Lineapelle leather fair, big exporters from Chennai seem to have sold their different leather items to leading European shoe manufacturers at different prices depending on quality and selection.

Some shoe manufacturers in places like Ambur are able to get orders from their regular customers even though prices are not favourable and keeping their factories running with much difficulties in order to keep their teams of staff and workers with them intact. People feel that it is a great thing they are doing in the present situation.

Quotations of tanners:

E. I. Tanned Goat Skins

Grain Selection:

4/6 sq. ft. A/B/C Rs.95, D/E/F Rs.65

Suede Selection:

4/7 sq. ft. Rs.38

Lining Selection:

4/6 sq. ft. 35 and 5/8 Rs.40

All prices are per sq. ft.

Quotations of Exporters

F/C sheep leather

4/6 sq. ft. All Suede JY 185, LIF Suede JY 155 and Rejection Suede JY 105

6/9 sq. ft. All Suede JY 195, LIF Suede JY 165 and Rejection Suede JY 115

All per sq. ft. C&F by sea.

                            S/C OR F/C GOAT LEATHERS

Material	Size/sq. ft.	Substance	Selection	Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Goat upper leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	ABC	2.30
Goat milled leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1	1.70
Goat suede leather	4/6	0.6/0.8 mm	All Suede	1.85
Goat lining leather	4/7	0.5/0.7 mm	TR-1/2/3	1.60/1.50/1.40
	6/9	0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1/2/3	1.70/1.60/1.50

                       

               

                    F/C SHEEP LEATHERS

Material	Size/sq.ft.	Substance	Selection	Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Sheep Cabretta leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	ABC	2.05
Sheep Cabretta leather	6/9	0.8/1.00 mm	ABC	2.15
Sheep lining leather	4/7 5/8	0.5/0.7 mm 0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1 TR-1	1.75 1.85

          

(Writer’s email id: vmk1234@yahoo.com)