Coir and coir products exports have touched an all-time record of Rs 1,116 crore in FY’13 against Rs 1,052.6 crore, an increase of Rs 64 crore.
G. Balachandran, Chairman, Coir Board, said that 4,29,500 tonnes of coir and coir products were exported against 4,10,854 tonnes in the preceding year. The increase in quantity was five per cent whereas the total value has increased to six per cent.
While coir fibre, tufted mat, coir matting, coir geo-textiles and coir pith registered a positive growth of two to 21 per cent, coir yarn, handloom mat, power loom mat, coir rope, rubberised coir, curled coir, coir rugs and carpets, other items showed a negative growth of three to 87 per cent, he said.
He pointed out that 76 per cent of the total exports were contributed by non-traditional products whereas handloom products like mats, mattings, coir geo-textiles put together contributed only 24 per cent of the total exports.
According to the Chairman, coir and coir products were exported to 112 countries out of which the share of US was 22.8 per cent in value and 13 per cent in quantity. China continued to be the largest importer of coir fibre, contributing 19.4 per cent in value and 33.8 per cent in quantity.
State-wise share
Referring to the share of Kerala in total exports, he said it was to the tune of 71,284 tonnes valued at Rs 636.84 crore, which is 16.6 per cent in quantity and 57 per cent in value.
Total exports from Tamil Nadu works out to 3,53,533.78 tonnes valued at Rs 474.92 crore comprising coir fibre, coir pith and coir other sorts. This will be 41.7 per cent in value and 82.3 per cent in quantity.
Contribution from other states put together were 4,682.66 tonnes valued at Rs 14.27 crore. This will be 1.28 per cent in value and 1.1 per cent in quantity of the total exports.
Balachandran said that the achievements in coir exports have been quite encouraging especially in the background of economic recession being experienced all over the world particularly in Europe.