(a) the quantum of wool produced in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(b) the details of import and export of wool during the said period, country-wise;
(c) whether the Government has set up/ proposes to set up Certified Wool Testing Laboratories in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the funds allocated and utilised for the purpose during the said period?
MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a): The quantum of production of wool in the country during the last three year was 47.90 m Kg (2013-14), 48.13 m Kg (2014-15), 43.58 m Kg (2015-16) and 44.07 m Kg is projected to be produced in 2016-17. The State-wise information is at Annexure.
(b): The details of import and export of wool during the said period to top 5 countries are as under:
• India’s Top 5 Export Markets of Wool (US$ Million)
Rank Country 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 (Apr- Sept)
1 Italy 17.4 19.4 13.7 6.5
2 Republic of Korea 7.4 7.2 7.8 2.5
3 Germany 5.1 5.4 6.2 0.3
4 China 1.6 2.6 3.7 1.5
5 Bulgaria 1.8 3.9 3.3 0.0
India Total Exports53.7 54.7 48.3 18.1
Source- : DGCI&S
• India’s Top 5 Suppliers of Wool (US$ Million)
Rank Country 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 (Apr- Sept)
1 Australia 158.8 174.9 164.7 80.0
2 New Zealand 26.3 36.1 28.6 14.7
3 South Africa 21.5 15.2 13.3 3.4
4 Syria 5.3 10.6 15.6 6.8
5 China 8.8 13.5 12.1 4.8
India Total Imports 330.1 356.4 309.3 142.8
Source- : DGCI&S
(c) to (d): There is a lab under Wool Research Association (WRA), Thane, Maharashtra which is accredited by Interrwollabs Bradforts and NABL. The Government has provided financial support of RS.440 lakhs to develop the laboratory of Wool Research Association as ‘Centre of Excellence for Wool’. Out of the released amount of Rs.440 lakhs, WRA, Thane has utilized Rs.350 lakhs for procurement and installation of different equipment/machineries at the laboratory.