The Hindu Business Line : Coir exports set to top Rs 450-cr target

TANGIBLE increase in shipments of coir mats have pushed up the exports of coir and coir products from the country during April-Feb 2004-05 by Rs 58 crore from that of the previous fiscal.

The total exports during the period stood at 1,06,368 tonnes worth Rs 425.72 crore as against 91,021 tonnes worth Rs 367.17 crore, up 17 per cent in quantity and 16 per cent in value, a senior source at the Coir Board told Business Line on Friday.

He said a substantial increase in coir mats and coir pith had contributed mainly to the increase and given the current trend, exports during the fiscal are expected to cross the target of Rs 450 crore.

In the absence of a suitable and effective substitute for coir mats which have a superb functional advantage and brushing effect, the demand for it world over is increasing. Export of coir mats during the current fiscal up to February stood at 52,751 tonnes worth Rs323.74 crore as against 44,618 tonnes worth Rs 264.73 crore in the same period last fiscal. There has been an increase of 18 per cent in volume and 22 per cent in value. Exports this month are expected to be substantial.

Similarly, demand for coir pith, which was considered once as a waste material and had become a major problem for the industry to dispose of, had shown a substantial increase following realisation of its importance as a soil conditioner. It is now extensively used in horticultural operations and for manufacturing manures. Netherlands has become the major importer of coir pith mainly for value-addition and re-exporting. Other importers are mainly Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand, he said.

As against 25,013 tonnes worth Rs 17 crore, exports of coir pith this fiscal up to February went up to 34,505 tonnes worth Rs 24.3 crore.

Meanwhile, exports of coir mattings, rugs and carpets, coir geo-textiles and other items continued to decline. Changes in the indoor decoration concept have resulted in the decline in exports of coir mattings. Cheaper substitutes are replacing the coir product, the source said.

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