The Bangladesh government has appointed former adviser to the caretaker government, leading businessman Syed Manzur Elahi, chairman of Apex Tannery Ltd, Dhaka,  the largest tannery in Bangladesh, as administrator to the Apex trade body – the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Hungary’s Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported leather and leather products worth €206 million in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%. Hungarian exports of the same types of commodities in the January to September period were 6.1% higher year-on-year at €106 million.

Ireland’s Central Statistics Office reports that Ireland exported hides and skins worth E64.8 million in the first eight months of this year, compared with E59.4 million in the same period in 2006.

Azerbaijan’s State Statistics Committee reports that livestock production in Azerbaijan in the first nine months of this year was 6.8% higher than in the same period in 2006.

Ukraine’s State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$275 million in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 40%.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Federal Office of Statistics reports that 82,758 head of cattle weighing 13,188 tonnes were slaughtered in abattoirs in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first nine months of this year, 5.3% and 15% higher respectively than in the same period in 2006

According to Hidenet.com,the CLIA have released a report concerning steps being taken to curb pollution in Shuitou,China.Renowned as China’s ‘leather capital’ for its tanning industry,at its peak Shuitou employed around 100,000 people in 1,200 small workshops occupying more than 36 km of land.

Citing challenging livestock markets, rising commodity costs and disruptions in key export markets, Cargill Meat Solutions, USA, have announced that they will lay off 48 employees at corporate offices in Wichita, Kansas, and at production facilities nationwide.

Slovenia’s Statistics Office reports that the number of cattle slaughtered in Slovenia in September was 0.4% lower than in August and 9.9% lower than in September 2006.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported raw hides and skins worth US$62 million in the first ten months of this year, a year-on-year fall of 12.4%.

Ukraine’s State Statistics Committee reports that the number of cattle in Ukraine on November 1, 2007 was 6.22 million, compared with 6.84 million on the same date in 2006.

Hungary’s Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first nine months of this year was 48.1% higher than in the same period in 2006. Manufacturers’ sales of the same types of commodities in the January to September period were 46.6% higher year-on-year, with an increase in sales of 0.1% on the domestic Hungarian market and 56.4% higher sales on export markets.

Ireland’s Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in September was a substantial 146% higher than in the same month last year. The turnover of leather industry companies in Ireland in September was 46% higher year-on-year.

Stahl will increase prices for Leather and Performance Coatings Products from January 1, 2008. The steep increases of costs for raw materials, transport and energy force Stahl to take this action.

USDA is predicting increased cattle slaughter but decreased beef exports from now to the end of the year.

Prime Tanning Company have announced the signing of a merger agreement with Cudahy Tanning Company. The operations of the combined companies will create the largest premium leather producer in North America, with revenues in excess of US$250 million.