The Jetpur based dyeing and print processing industry is facing the heat of raw material price hike due to boom in the guar seed. The dyeing units in Jetpur, near Rajkot in Saurashtra region, mainly engage in printing of sari and dress materials since over five decades.
Apparently, guar gum powder is the main raw material to make colors for printing and dyeing of cloths. However, in the last six months prices of guar seed and guar gum have increased tremendously. For instance, prices of guar gum powder gained from Rs 70-80 per kg to Rs 800 per kg.
"Raw material in form of guar gum is now no more affordable for small dyeing and printing units as prices have increased exorbitantly. Processing cost has also almost doubled in past six months. We cannot pass it on to our customers as we are manufacturing low range garments and profit margin is also thin in it," said Jentibhai Ramoliya, vice president of Jetpur Dying and Printing Association.
Cost of manufacturing these low cost have left these units reeling, said Rajubhai Patel, president of the Association. "Earlier processing cost of a sari or single dress material was about Rs 25-30. In this cost guar gum made colors cost Rs 3-4 per piece. But now our printing cost goes up to Rs 50-60 per piece due to guar gum price," said Patel.
Guar gum prices hit its highest at Rs 100,000 a quintal in the Jodhpur mandi early Wednesday due to rising demand. Similarly, guar seed prices also hit Rs 30,000 a quintal mark.
The other reason the Jetpur based industry is reeling under pressure from raw material price rise is because the region processes orders received from the business routes of Calcutta and Mumbai, which is a mere job work. There are more than 700 units of dyeing and printing in Jetpur and surrounding areas wherein turnover of the industry is around Rs 2,000 crore per year and employs more than 25,000 workers.
