Iran has a share of 5% in global sheepskin exports and a 1% share in cowhide exports, the chairman of Iran Tanners Association said.
Ali Hassanzadeh added that Iran has an output of 22 million cowhide, 18 million sheepskin and 7 million goatskin per year.
“Of the 18 million sheepskin, which is turned into salambor and exported, the country earns $45 million [annually],” he was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
Hassanzadeh noted that if the domestically-produced sheepskin is converted into leather, its exports would earn $210 million and even $800 million, if used to make apparel.
Tehran, Tabriz and Mashhad are the top cowhide producing cities in Iran.
“The production of skin from one cow, sheep or goat creates jobs for seven people. Processing skin into leather would create 35 jobs and 200 jobs, if turned into clothing,” he said.
Sadeq Najafi, the head of Iran’s Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization, said Iran’s leather industry currently suffers from old machinery, lack of specialized training and high production costs, as well as a lack of financial resources, national brands and specialized distribution companies.
