Umbrella makers cheer on hopes of normal rain, dip in cheap Chinese imports

A fifth of umbrellas sold in India the past three years came from China. But rising labour and material cost and local authorities' anti-pollution drive have made Chinese brollies expensive

Umbrella and rainwear makers are expecting good business this monsoon season, with rainfall projected to be at normal levels. Umbrella makers, in fact, are also relieved with the decline in the import of cheap readymade brollies from China, which has been destabilising the domestic market for the past several years. However, orders from retailers aren't in full flow due to a financial squeeze and the delay in the onset of monsoon.

According to industry players,