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Prices up for all varieties

K. Asadullah Basha

At all the international raw/wet blue markets for calfs, kids, ox, heifers and cow, prices have reportedly gone up by nearly 30 per cent compared to Hong Kong fair prices. Lamb skin prices have also moved up considerably. The only origin where prices hav e not moved up a lot was Africa.

A good demand for imported cow calf and Newzealand lamb skins was reported. New Zealand III lamb in wet blue stage was quoted at $ 60/65 per dozen skins. While IIB lamb was reportedly sold between $80 and $85 per dozen, run lamb was quoted around $97-98. Most of the supplies were sold out.

Top quality Denmark cow calf and veel skin prices had also gone up. Dutch veel 8-14 kg (Average 11 kg) was sold at US 48/52 and 12-18 kg (Average 16 kg) at $ 55-60 while cow calf 2- 4.2 kg (average 3.2-3.5 kg) was quoted at $5.50-6.00.

Brazilian Wet Blue sheep skins for caberetta selection was offered at $ 1.35/1.50 per sq.ft.

Even at the domestic raw market centres, the demand for goat, sheep and cow hides continued to be up with little increase in existing rates. Manufacturer-exporters of leather and leather products are a worried lot now as they are not able to fetch even 1 0/20 cents more for their end-products from their overseas buyers, though they had considerable amount of orders.

Footwear manufacturer-exporters targeting the huge domestic market are in a fix, as some Delhi and Mumbai-based entrepreneurs have started importing cheap footwear from China at as low as $2.50 a pair made out of synthetic leather.

According to initial reports from Expo Riva Schuh Fair, held at Lake Garda, Italy, which ended on June 21, the demand for Indian shoes and shoe uppers of middle range was good but the prices offered not encouraging.