Raw, semi-finished leather is one of the most heavily penalised raw materials from protectionism. UNIC (National Union of Conciary Industry) estimates that well over 50% of the world’s leather is taken away from free trade. Since August 16, this share has been further aggravated by the Turkish government that is imposing a $ 500 per tonne of wet blue cattle and 40% of the sales value of the semi-processed sheep’s goat. The move has been justified as an encouragement to “enhance national tanneries at home”. A manoeuvre specifically aimed at countering the purchases of Indian traders because they paid in cash, unlike domestic operators who demanded extremely long-term payment times. In the photo: Turkish tapestry interior Akif Kopuf (photo taken from the company website).
Protectionism, worsen: Turkey charges wet-blue blocking exports
