Indian Handicrafts Export

Indian Handicrafts Export is one of the most important sources of revenue in the country. India is known to be the largest exporter of handicraft items among all other developing countries.

The handicraft industry of India has ensured opportunities to more than six million craftsmen including females who can utilize their talents to earn a proper livelihood. Indian handicraft industry comprises of both men and women workers, which has led to a flourishing economy in these weaker sections of the country. The revenue generated from the exporting of handicraft items in India during 1998-99 was USD 1.2 billion. The export production of Indian handicrafts industry is highly significant due to:

• Low capital investment
• High ratio of value addition
• Potentially active for export and foreign exchange income

India has a very less amount of shares in the global market, as the handicrafts sector has not yet been sincerely explored so as to bring out the hidden potentiality within the artisans. The major states in India that are involved in exportation of handicraft items include Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, North Western state of Rajasthan, and the coastal state of Gujarat. The two broad sections in Indian handicraft items are:

• Consumer goods for daily use
• Decorative items manufactured by the skilled craftsmen

The Indian handicrafts industry exports the following products by and large:

• Cloth Paintings
• Design & Development
• Floor Paintings
• Handmade Paper
• Kashmiri Paintings
• Pottery

The various handicraft items that are exported worldwide include the following:

• Textile based handicrafts-
  the hand printed textile designs include block and screen painting, kalamkari, batik, and bandhanis. These materials are widely used in bed-covers, bed-sheets, upholstery, dress materials, and tapestry.
  
  
• Clay, Metal and Jewelry-
  the chief metals used for handicraft items include brass, copper, bronze, and bell metal. These are used for manufacturing various wares, which are carved out in multifarious designs both traditional and contemporary.
  
  
• Woodwork-
  Toys, furniture, decorative items, and other articles are carved out of wood in multi-faceted designs and are also available in a wide range. Lacquered woodwork is quite eminent in Indian handicrafts industry.
  
  
• Stone Craft-
  Various handicraft items in India are manufactured in stones. Marble, alabaster, and soapstone are used as the primary materials for these products. These stone crafts are then adorned with semiprecious stones.
  
  
• Glass and Ceramic-
  the artistic crafts of glass and ceramic are found in varied range of designs, which are a perfect blend of the Western style and Indian aesthetics. These products are available in various shapes and colors.
  
  

Indian Handicrafts Export have performed best in the following segments:

• Jodhpur (Raj)- Wooden, Wrought Iron and Sea Shell handicrafts
• Moradabad (UP)- Art metal wares and imitation jewelry
• Narsapur (A.P)- Lace and Lace goods
• Saharanpur (UP)- For Wooden handicrafts and Wrought iron handicrafts

The major clients of Indian Handicrafts Export are as follows:

• Shawls and Art wares have got their markets in Saudi Arabia, U.S.A. Japan and U.K
• Hand printed textiles and scarves have occupied a market in U.S.A., U.K., Germany and Canada
• Art Metal wares have their markets in U.S.A., Germany, U.K. and Italy
• Imitation Jewelries are highly consumable in U.S.A., U.K., Saudi Arabia and Germany
• Wood Wares are widely popular in U.S.A., U.K., Germany and France
• Zari and Zari goods have found markets in U.K. U.S.A., Japan and Saudi Arabia
• Embroidered and Crocheted Goods have occupied a huge market in U.S.A., Saudi Arabia, U.K., and Germany
• Miscellaneous handicrafts have markets in U.S.A., Germany, U.K. and France

Last Updated on 19 May 2011