According to Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), the country exported ceramic products worth Rs 23.54 million during the period compared to Rs 20.53 million recorded in the first nine months of 2010/11. Exports of ceramic products in 2010/11 had increased by 28.85 percent.[break]
Nepal´s ceramic products are mostly exported to European countries, Canada and the United States.
“Our products are unique as they are completely hand made, and they are competitive in terms of quality and are cheaper as well. It is because of these features that the demand for these products is growing in both local and international market,” said Chandra Prasad Kachhipati, executive director of Sana Hastakala - an exporter of Nepali handicraft products.
Kachhipati expects Sana Hastakala to export ceramic products worth more than Rs 15 million this year.
Handicraft exporters say export of ceramic products started picking up after the products were certified as lead free products in the international market a few years ago.
“Until few years ago, we did not know about different technical aspects such as using different types of chemicals, maintaining required temperature and use of glaze that adds shine to products,” Dil Krishna Prajapati, president of Nepal Ceramic Association and proprietor of Everest Ceramics, said. “Now we have received various trainings and increased the quality of our products accordingly. This has led to rise in demand for our products in both local as well as international market.”
The export of Nepali ceramic products started increasing after local craftsmen started producing stone wares, glazed ceramics and painted ceramics.
“Earlier, we used to receive more demands for plain ceramic products. But this year, we are receiving more orders for stone ware and painted ceramics due to which we have specialized in these varieties,” said Laxmi Kumar Prajapati, one of the proprietors of Thimi Ceramics.
Mostly hotels, expatriates and well-off families are the customers of ceramic products in the local market. “Many hotels in the country have now started using Nepali ceramic products that depict our culture and tradition,” said Shree Krishna Prajapati, proprietor of Unique Ceramics. "This has also given a boost to our business."
Association of Craft Producers (ACP), Dhukuti, Mahaguthi and Sana Hastakala are the major organizations and companies that buy ceramic products from local manufactures and export them in international market.
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