Romania exported raw livestock hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth E228 million in 2008, a decrease of 2.1% compared with exports in 2007.

Romania’s average gross monthly wage in the leather and leather products’ industry in January was US$335, compared with US$283 in the same month in 2008. In comparison, the average gross monthly wage in Romania in January was US$580.

A total of 60,000 people were employed in manufacturing leather and/or leather products in Romania on January 31 this year, as against 76,100 on the same date in 2008.

The Institute reports that 61,000 head of cattle were slaughtered in Romania in January, as compared with 156,000 in December and 61,000 in January 2008.