Handicraft exports up by 19% in July

India's handicraft exports grew by 19 per cent to over $120 million in July on the back of increasing demand for the Christmas season.

According to the Export Promotion for Handicrafts (EPCH), handicraft exports stood at $101 million in July 2009.

"The growth is attributed to the Christmas orders mainly from the US and European markets which start from June," EPCH Chairman Raj Malhotra said.

The council is optimistic of over 10 per cent growth in 2010-11 compared to the last fiscal. The exporters are pinning hope on demand from major markets like the US.

"Besides, we are planning to increase the number of international trade fairs which are held in various countries to 47 from 33 in the fiscal," Malhotra said.

The US and EU together account for 70 per cent of the country's handicraft exports.

Among items that registered maximum growth were immitation jewellery which grew by 37 per cent, shawls as artwares 30 per cent, woodwares 25 per cent, miscellaneous handicrafts 20 per cent and artmetal wares 17 per cent.

The sector, which was hit hard due to global economic recession, turned positive in September 2009 registering an over 165 per cent growth.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur and Jodhpur are the major handicraft hubs catering to global markets.