“Allo products made in Nepal are highly preferred by foreigners. A large number of Nepalis have also started using the material,” Laxman Pun, national program manager Micro Enterprises Development Program (MEDP), said. “It is because of this fact that a large number of people are involved in this trade.”[break]
According to conservative estimate, more than 10,000 people are involved in this trade.
Allo products like mobile bag, purse, coat, shawl and cap, among others are becoming increasingly people among customers.
According to Pun, people in more than 58 districts are involved in allo production and 90 percent of the products are exported to international markets.
“Nepal produces 274,000 tons of allo fiber every year and around 90 percent of it is exported to countries like Sweden, Japan and America among others. More than 2,000 micro-entrepreneurs are involved in the business,” Pun elaborated.
Though allow products are highly popular in foreign countries, Pun said local customers are still hesitant to use allo products.
“Lack of proper knowledge about the material among local consumers is hindering the sale of the material in domestic market. It is high time that people came to know that the material is very good for skin and can cure various skin problems,” said Harigopal Chaysi, an allo researcher.
Pun said 400 kg of allow fiber is sufficient for an individual to get employed for a year. He further added that allo is exported both as raw fiber and as ready made garments.
Pure allo material costs around Rs 500 per meter. But the blend of allow with wool or cotton is priced between Rs 200 to Rs 250 per meter. More than 200 varieties of allo products are available in the market, ranging between Rs 100 for a mobile bag to Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 for a coat.
According to Trade and Export Promotional Center, Nepal exports allo products worth Rs 3.4 million through formal channel. However, total export is estimated to be worth well over Rs 20 million.
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