Date:03/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/03/stories/2004110300371000.htm

Back Coir exports up Rs 38 cr in H1

G.K. Nair

Kochi , Nov. 2

EXPORTS of coir and coir products during the first half of the current fiscal have gone up by Rs 37.60 crore to Rs 225.91 crore as against Rs 188.31 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal.

A senior Coir Board official said that 56,744 tonnes of coir products were exported in the first of this fiscal against 47,693 tonnes in the same period last year.

Exports of coir doormats have shown tangible growth from 22,666 tonne valued at Rs 133.36 crore to 27,471 tonne worth Rs 170.38 crore. Rugs and carpets have also shown improvement.

"There has been significant growth in the export of coir pith, which has been considered as a waste until recent years," he told Business Line. Its market is growing overseas especially in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands.

Coir pith is extensively used for growing ornamental plants because of its moisture retention capability, developing gardens and in other horticulture operations. The Netherlands is importing large quantities of raw pith for value addition and re-export, he said. Its export during the first six months stood at 19,226 tonne valued at Rs 13.44 crore as against 13,405 tonne worth Rs 9.15 crore in the same period last year, he said.

However, other major items such as coir geo-textiles and wall-to-wall covering (mattings), have declined, the official said. Exports of mattings fell to 2,721 tonne valued at Rs 14.53 crore from 2,514 tonne valued at Rs 15.77 crore.

He said that there is a growing preference for coir doormat in the overseas markets because of its functional advantage over other products.

Given the current trend the exports of these items would cross the target of Rs 450 crore this fiscal.

Availability of coir fibre has improved in recent months and hence production and exports of coir products has been good. He said that the processor-exporters were permitted to undertake duty free imports of coir fibre from Sri Lanka in the event of shortage, he said.

Demand for coir products would go up in the winter months especially in the Christmas season, the official added.