Leather and Footwear Sector Overview

India’s Leather and Footwear sector, valued at ₹3 trillion in 2023-24, is a vital part of the country’s manufacturing and export sectors. It is one of the largest producers of leather goods and footwear globally, with strong export demand.

Why Invest in the Leather and Footwear Sector

• Strong Export Market: India is the world’s second-largest exporter of leather products.
• Growing Demand: Both domestic and international demand for leather goods and footwear is rising.
• Government Support: Schemes like the PLI and Leather Development Program promote growth.

Incentives & Schemes

• PLI Scheme: ₹2,600 crore to promote domestic manufacturing of leather and footwear.
• Leather Development Program: Focuses on upgrading the leather sector with better technologies and practices.
• Mega Leather Clusters: The government has set up 12 mega leather clusters to boost manufacturing and exports.

Highlights

• Export Growth: India’s leather exports reached $7 billion in 2023.
• Global Positioning: India is the world’s second-largest footwear manufacturer.
• Employment: Over 4 million people are employed in the sector, particularly in rural areas.

Leather and Footwear Sector Data

Category	Details
Market Size (2023-24)	₹3 trillion
Leather Exports (2023)	$7 billion
PLI Scheme Allocation	₹2,600 crore
Footwear Manufacturing	2.5 billion pairs of footwear produced annually
Employment	4 million+ people
Global Footwear Market Share	11% of global production
Domestic Footwear Market	₹75,000 crore by 2025
Leather Goods Exports	$4 billion in 2023
FDI in Leather Sector	$1.2 billion since 2000
Leather Processing Units	Over 2,000 processing units across India