Statistics available from the Vietnamese General Customs Department indicate that total imports turnover of leather in the first four months of 2006 reached US $180.4 million, a year-on-year surge of 69 percent.
In April alone, leather imports were recorded at $60.47 million, representing a growth of nine percent in comparison with same month last year.
The figures of May this year are forecast at $70 million, 10 percent higher than May, 2005.
Tanned cow hides makes up biggest share of 40 percent of total leather imports in April, worth more than $70 million.
Currently, Vietnam is importing leather from ten countries in Asia with Taiwan, China and Korea picking up the top three supplier slots.
Taiwan exported $17.29 million worth of leather to Vietnam in April, totaled $52.8 million in January–April period with year–on–year rise of 45.7 percent, statistics reveal.
Imports growth rate by Korea and China remained high at 119.5 percent and 90.7 percent, respectively, compared with corresponding period, 2005.
However, a steep decline was recorded in imports from England, Bangladesh and Australia.
For import prices of various categories of leather click here.
Fibre2fashion, News Desk - Vietnam
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