Ethiopia faces challenges in leather sector
The Leather and Leather Products Industry Research and Development Centre of Ethiopia has announced the results the national leather sector achieved in the ten months to May 2022.
Exports of leather and leather products reached $33 million against a target of $69 million for the period, falling short by 62%. On the other hand, in the domestic market $144 million worth of leathergoods and leather footwear were sold, surpassing by 38% the target set for the period, which was $104 million.
Eight thousand new jobs were created in the same period according to the organisation, although the industry itself was plagued by difficulties and mounting challenges.
The main obstacles that had to be overcome were power shortages, lack of foreign exchange, and shortages of chemicals for leather processing.
