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Coir, product exports up Rs 5.5 cr in Apr-Nov

G.K. Nair

KOCHI, Dec. 14

EXPORTS of coir and coir products during April-November 2000 registered an increase of Rs 5.5 crore taking the total to Rs 204.66 crore as against Rs 199.16 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal.

This had been achieved despite a decline in the exports of coir mattings and coir geotextiles. At this rate of growth the exports were expected to touch the targeted Rs 355 crore for 2000-01, a senior Coir Board official told Business Line on Thursday.

He said winter especially during Christmas was the peak season for the export of coir and coir products in Europe and the US.

Exports of coir yarn, coir mats and coir pith had shown a substantial growth while that of coir mattings and geotextiles witnessed a decline. However, exports of carpets remained at the last year's level.

During the first nine months, 9,686 tonnes of coir yarn worth Rs 28.48 crore were exported as against 8,060 tonnes worth Rs 22.98 crore during the same period last year. Similarly export of coir mats went up from 17,164 tonnes worth Rs 110.63 crore to 18 ,667 tonnes worth Rs 117.38 crore.

Export of coir mattings fell to 4,431 tonnes worth Rs 29.72 crore in April-November 2000 from 4,611 tonnes worth Rs 32.47 crore during the same period last year. Exports of geotextiles also fell to 890 tonnes worth Rs 4.06 crore from 1,022 tonnes worth R s 5.07 crore.

However, exports of coir pith continued to show a substantial growth from 4,210 tonnes worth Rs 3.82 crore during April-November 1999 to 7,055 tonnes worth Rs 5.67 crore in the same period this year, he said.