The Hindu Business Line : Coir product exports up

During 2002-03, 82,634 tonnes of coir and coir products valued at Rs 345.13 crore were exported as against 71,335 tonnes worth Rs 320.58 crore in 2001-02, registering an increase of Rs 24.55 crore in value, a senior official of the board told Business Line on Wednesday.

He said there was significant rise in the exports of coir mats whereas in the case of coir yarn there was a tangible decline. Coir mats went up 17 per cent to 39,754 tonnes in 2002-03 valued at Rs 242.89 crore from 33,964 tonnes valued at Rs 215.80 crore the previous year.

Other items, which showed improvement, were rubberised coir, coir pith and geo-textiles, he said.

The main products of which exports dropped were coir yarn and coir matting. There has been continuous decline in exports of coir yarn of late mainly because of the shutting down of processing units in importing countries.

In the past, countries in Europe were importing coir yarn for manufacturing various products. The high cost of production in these countries had forced them to import finished products from India. Besides, there has been a decline in the use of coir yarn in agricultural operation. On the other hand, there is a stiff competition from Sri Lanka for this product.

However, the functional aspects of coir mats, apart from its being eco-friendly, have propelled its growth in demand in the traditional overseas markets.

He said there was a feeling at the ministerial level that coir and coir products should be promoted as "organic" and eco-friendly in the overseas market as there is a growing shift towards natural products.

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