350 



The Philippine Journal of Science 



1915 



Although doubtless lacking great accuracy, the statistics show 

 that the tanning industry produces leather to the value of from 

 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 pesos ^ per annum. On the whole, the 

 figures regarding production are believed to be too low. 



THE LOCAL LEATHER MARKET 





Table H. — Invoice value of i 



Year. 



Pesos. Year. 



1903 



1,373,572 1909 



1904 



985,070 1910 



1905 



986,334 1911 



1906 



922,440 1912 



1907 



958,268 1913 



1908 



1,343,924 



There is a large and increasing local demand for leather and 

 leather goods which is met almost entirely by importation. 

 Table II shows the Philippine customs invoice value of imports 

 of leather and manufactures thereof for several years. 



Pesos. 

 988,276 

 1,520,926 

 1,988,382 

 2,051,614 

 2,380,246 



The actual value of these goods is unquestionably several times 

 larger than the invoice value given in the table. A gradual 

 increase has occurred in almost every item included in these 

 figures. Most notable, however, is the increase in the impor- 

 tation of boots and shoes. The introduction of European cus- 

 toms of dress may safely be expected to maintain or accelerate 

 this rate of increase for several years. Table III gives the clas- 

 sification of the leather and manufactures thereof imported 

 during the years 1912 and 1913, as shown by the annual reports 

 of the Collector of Customs. It will be noted that the item 

 boots and shoes constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the total. 



Table III. — Classification and value of Philippine imports of leather and 

 manufactures thereof for the fiscal years 1912 and 1913. 



Boots and shoes 



Sole leather — - 



Upper leather 



Another ._ 



Belting 



Harness and saddles 



Pocketbooks. purses, wallets, and hand bags . 



Total — - 



1912 



Pesos. 



1, 173, 904 



102, 524 



109, 886 



519, 920 



65, 662 



79. 718 



2, 051, 614 



191S 



Pesos. 

 1, 390, 864 

 200, 016 

 256, 534 

 253, 758 



59, 862 

 163, 594 



55, 618 



2,380,246 



' One peso Philippine cui*rency equals 100 centavos, equals 50 cents 

 United States currency. 



