Data provided by the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) shows ceramic products worth Rs 17.65 million were exported in the first six months of the current fiscal year against Rs 15.84 million in the same period last year.[break]
According to the manufacturers, demand for Nepali ceramic products have increased in the international market because they were handmade, lead free and were of better quality than the past.
“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. Since we have now received various trainings and have increased the quality of products, the demand for products is increasing both in local as well as international market,” said Dil Krishna Prajapati, president of Nepal Ceramic Association and proprietor of Thimi Ceramics.
Mostly expatriates, hoteliers and high income families are customers of ceramic products in the local market. “Many hotels in the country have now started using decorative materials and utensils made of ceramics to show our tradition,” said Shree Krishna Prajapati, proprietor of Unique Ceramics. "This has also given a boost to our business."
The Association of Craft Producers (ACP), Dhukuti, Mahaguthi, Sana Hatakala are the major organizations and companies that buy ceramic products from local manufactures and export them.
“The volume of orders from our clients have increased as our products are competitive in terms of quality hence the export of products have gone up,” said Ramila Sharma, who looks after production and supply chains at Sana Hastakala.
Exporters say that in the past plain ceramic products were mostly in demand but this year more orders were received for the stoneware and the painted ones. The ceramic products are mostly exported to the European countries, the US and Canada.
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