Introduction
India has one of the largest sheep populations in the world. The country’s wool and woolen industry is the seventh-largest in the world. It is one of the important sectors in India’s rural economy. The annual wool production of the country is around 43-46 million kg. It accounts for around 2% of the world’s production
The wool and woolen industry in India comprises organized and decentralized sectors. The organized sector comprises composite mills, combing units, worsted and non-worsted spinning units, knitwear and woven garments units and machine-made carpet manufacturing units. The decentralized sector consists of hosiery and knitting units, powerloom units, hand-made carpets, druggets and namadahs units and independent dyeing and process houses. The major wool-producing states in India are Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Export Trend
India exports multiple woolen products including tops, worsted yarn, ready-made garments, woolen yarn, wool tops, fabric, shoddy yarn, shoddy fabrics, blankets, knitwear, hand-made carpets and machine-made carpets, etc. In the year 2020-21, the total export value of wool and woolen products was Rs. 69.31 billion (US$ 935.41 million). The same for 2019-20 was Rs. 91.72 billion (US$ 1.294 billion).
Major Importers
India exports wool and woolen products to many countries around the world. The major wool and woolen importing countries are the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Belgium, Norway and Australia.
Government Initiatives
The primary goal of this initiative was to stop the wool production decline in India and to improve the manufacturing processes. The objective of this programme was also to improve the quality of wool fiber and establish service and research centers to improve the quantity and quality of import and export productions. The programme was also aimed at improving the marketing and branding promotion for the export promotion of wool. As a part of this scheme, a total of Rs. 112 crore (US$ 15 million) was allocated to various activities between 2017-18 and 2019-20.
Governing Bodies
Central Wool Development Board (CWDB)
Some of the objectives of CWDB are to,
- Promote growth and development of wool and woolen products
- Undertake arrangements for marketing and stabilizing the prices
- Promote and set wool and woolen product standards
- Quality control
- Improve the existing markets and develop new uses of wool
- Advise the Central Government in the matters related to wool and woolen industry development
Wool and Woolens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC)
Established in the year 1964, WWEPC functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textile. Following are some of the functions and responsibilities of the council,
- To act as a registering authority for the members dealing in exports of all types of wool and woolen blended products
- To act as an advisory body to the Government of India for setting up policies and to act as an intermediary between the woolen industry and the government
- To provide financial assistance to the member of the council to participate in the trades and exhibitions abroad
- Promote and educate the member exporters about the schemes and benefits provided by the government
- To organize trade expos and bring buyers and sellers together
- Organize seminars and workshops for the member exporters to improve competitiveness and create consciousness
RELATED SITES
1 - Churchgate Chambers
7th Floor, 5, New Marine Lines
India
Tel.:+91-22-22624372
Fax: +91-91-22-22624675
Email: mail@wooltexpro.com
Website: www.wwepcindia.com
