KOTTAYAM: The rains have arrived, schools are about to open but the umbrella industry is not active as one would expect. The reason for the crisis is the scarcity of raw materials. Currently, the stores have old stock. Most of the production takes place during the months of February to April. But the unexpected crisis resulted in a 60% drop in production. Companies deliver only 10% of what the vendors demand. Many companies are in dire straits due to lack of production. None of the major brands are yet to hit the market. The production, which was supposed to begin in February, has stalled.

New experiments are being conducted on umbrellas aimed at the school market. Production and sales are mostly during this time. Imports of metal, cloth, PT etc. are also affecting the production. Materials for construction are imported from places like China, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand. This time the raw materials did not arrive. Traders hope that the business lost in June and July will be recovered by the rains in August and September.