Ethiopian leather industry continues to grow

An Ethiopian government agency has announced that $42.3 million out of the planned $53 million was secured in the last six months from leather and leather products. This is 20% up on the same period a year earlier, according to Abdisa Adugna, secretary of the Association of Ethiopian Shoes and Leather Products. Previously, only one factory was producing shoes for export but now more leather producers are involved in the production and export, the income from the sector will continue to grow. Countries importing are mainly European and Asian, with Italy taking the biggest share. Among the factories which exported leather products in the last six months are Ethiopian Leather Factory, Dire Industrial (Peacock) and ELICO Walia. According to the Ethiopian Customs Authority, leather and leather products accounted for 6% of total exports for the period.