Exports of Narsapuram crochet lace products cross ₹150-crore mark

The exports of Narsapuram crochet lace products crossed the ₹150 crore mark in the present fiscal year till December end, two years after the craft was paralyzed with the economic impact of the Covid-19.

Nearly 15,000 artisans are involved in the craft, Narsapuram Crochet Lace, which received the Geographical Indication tag in March. The craft is now back on track to bounce back in the 19 mandals in West Godavari and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts in Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 60% of crafts persons involved in the crochet lace craft are women.

“The exports of Narsapuram crochet lace, crafted by the artisans of our region, have crossed ₹150 crore by the end of December. Europe, the USA, France and the Middle East remain the major importers of the crochet lace products from Narsapuram. The exports are including direct and indirect exports”, said K. N. Tulasi Rao, Convener of South Region Exports Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH, Ministry of Textiles). Based in Narsapuram, Mr. Rao is one of the leading exporters of crochet lace.

“The Geographical Indication tag, exhibitions, design and development being done in the International Lace Trade Centre (ILTC-Narsapuram), quality of products compared to crochet lace products of Panipat and Meerut are a few driving forces contributing for diversification of the craft and explore international market”, added Mr. Rao, who is ILTC Convener.

On the outcome of the second Handicrafts Expo, which concluded at ILTC on December 24, Mr. Tulasi Rao told The Hindu, “At least 40 Indian buyers, who indirectly export to various countries, have turned up for the expo and explored market potential and products of crochet lace.”

The buyers are enabled to directly procure the products from the craftspersons. The handicrafts of South India and North India were displayed in the 60 stalls in the exhibition conducted by the EPCH.