Demand for crackers down 32%: Report

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Amid increasing concerns over noise and air pollution, this year, the demand for crackers and fireworks have decreased by 32 per cent, according to a report.

"Celebrations this year may be cleaner, greener and noise-free as the year-on-year (y-o-y) searches for fireworks and firecrackers saw the biggest decline at 32 per cent," a a report by e-commerce platform for small businesses, Alibaba.com.

The report was collated from analytics data of the website from October 2011 through 2012.

Stating that Indian consumers are becoming more conscious environmentally, Alibaba.com India Country Manager Khalid Isar told PTI, "Having witnessed global searches and enquiries, we believe that this is a mirror of global trends. As environmental concerns grow, Indians too seem to be taking steps in the right direction."

On other reasons behind the decline in demand of firecrackers, he said, "There have always been concerns over safety. Further, with the global economic slowdown, it is a possibility that consumers may be reluctant to spend extravagantly on firecrackers".

Over the last couple of years, there has been a gradual shift for eco-friendly celebrations. Right from using recyclable, biodegradable materials to create Ganesh statues or using eco-friendly colours during Holi, Indians have been increasingly looking at environmentally friendly ways to celebrate.

According to some market reports there has been an increased influx of eco-friendly crackers this Diwali.

The Alibaba.com report added that during the festive season India has emerged as the second largest supplier market after China and fifth largest buyer market worldwide for Diwali related products.

Traditional buyer markets such as the US and the UK led the overall demand for these products at the B2B portal. The US is the top buyer market for Indian suppliers constituting 23 per cent of inquiries, it said.

Indian manufacturers also supply locally with the country being the second biggest buyer market with 17 per cent, followed by the UK at 8 per cent of inquiries. Other buyer markets of Indian Diwali related products include Australia, Canada and France.

According to the report, searches for ethnic clothing on Alibaba.com went up by 21 per cent in the last 12 months.