Leather export generates over $101 mln in 11 months

Addis Ababa, July 4 (WIC) – Leather export has generated over 101 million US dollars in the past 11 months, according to Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI) of Ethiopia.

LIDI Corporate Communication Directorate Director, Berhanu Serjebo, told WIC the revenue was made from leather products exported to European, Asian and African countries, including the USA.

He said the revenue earned in the reported period is nearly the same to the total sum obtained last Ethiopian fiscal year. The sector generated 104 million US dollars last year.

Berhanu indicted this year’s income may not hit the anticipated target but is expected to surpass from the previous as there is one month left for this budget year. Ethiopia had planned to earn 206 million US dollars this year.

The Ethiopian leather industry began exporting only finished leather goods since December 2011 to enhance the income that the country can get from the sector.

“Ethiopia’s leather industry is showing considerable promise in generating income following the ban imposed on export of raw hides and semi-finished leather products,” he said.

Leather and leather products factories, including tanneries and footwear firms have been effectively implementing the directive as it allows them to get more benefit from their products, he said.

According to the estimates of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ethiopia produces 2.7 million hides and over 15 million skins per annum.