Lockdown-hit Agra footwear trade struggling to ‘unlock’
AGRA: The lockdown is over but there seems to be no ‘opening’ towards better days for Agra’s footwear trade that is facing a tough time.
According to Himanshu Soni, 28, a footwear manufacturer here, the present scenario is depressing. “There are no orders in hand because the retailers are still having their pre-lockdown stock as they remained unsold. This has left thousands of labourers in Agra without work and money,” he says.
“There are no incentives for the footwear industry and the raw material lying unused is turning to waste. We helped our workers during the lockdown on humanitarian grounds but it seems to be a long-drawn battle,” laments Soni.
Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Export Council president Pooran Dawar admits that things are tough but he sees a silver lining. “The situation is grim, although export units are going ahead with production with winter sales in view for the European market. We expect to have 60% to 65% business for winter season in Europe in comparison to what we had last year when there was no pandemic,” says Dawar.
“It would be tough for next summer season for which production will begin from September. The trade, in comparison to last year, is expected to be only 30% to 35% as stocks of this summer season in the European market is lying unsold at the ports or with retailers as the European nations were also under lockdown,” says Dawar.
“Now the only way out is to have aggressive marketing, coupled with strong digital presence globally, where we will be required to create updated virtual showrooms for international buyers that will require no travelling. We have to create new products, especially in the comfort segment of footwear, to capitalise on the global scenario where buyers are looking for supplies from countries other than China,” says Dawar, a veteran of footwear trade in Agra.
Trade experts believe that certain measures, if implemented in a proper manner, can lead the nation to improve its 3% share in global footwear export to about 10% in three years and also increase the country’s footwear trade in the global market from $6 billion to $10 billion.
“India presently has 3% share (worth $6 billion) in global footwear trade of $200 billion but with required steps we can increase our share to 10% by doing trade of $20 billion in the coming three years,” says the AFMEC president.
Agra currently exports footwear of Rs 3,500 crore directly and Rs 1,500 crore indirectly and the sector provides jobs to about four lakh workers in Agra alone.
The footwear manufactured in Agra caters to 65% requirement of the product in India’s markets.
Another veteran of footwear trade in Agra and president of Agra Shoe Factories’ Association Gagan Dass Ramani is not that
optimistic and blames lack of transport for sluggishness in the footwear trade.
“Buses are moving within the state, while there are only two trains, namely Delhi-Chennai Express and Jodhpur-Howrah Express having stoppage at Agra. There is no connectivity with most of the states,” he complains.
“The summer marriage season had restrictions while festivals, like Eid, passed with limited business. After the harvest, farmers had money in March and
April but there was lockdown. Users prefer plastic footwear in rainy season and thus there seems to be no respite till Diwali at least,” Ramani said.
“Agra fulfills 65% requirement of the country. It’s footwear is popular because it is comparatively cheaper. Further there are restrictions on import of required raw material from China. As such most of the factories are lying closed. There is no money circulation as old dues are still to be realized,” he added.