Shoemakers feel the pinch of weak rupee, closure of tanneries in UP

According to industry sources, shoe companies are contemplating increasing prices

Rising leather prices on account of the closure of tanneries in the UP, coupled with the increasing cost of imports due to rupee devaluation, are hurting the margins of shoemakers.

On Monday, the UP Pollution Control Board ordered the closure of 296 tanneries in Jajmau, Kanpur, one of the largest leather hubs in the country.

In the past two years, about 150 tanneries have closed down in Jajmau. At present, there are about 296 units running in the region, against around 446 about two years ago, said Javed Iqbal, president, Council for Leather Exports. 

With this fresh clampdown, the Jajmau leather hub will