Coir products export at all time high - touches Rs. 4.6 billion
Worldwide demand for coir products has helped India post a record export turnover of Rs. 460 crore during 2004-05.
Of various coir products - coir mats continue to occupy the top position, with total volume of 49,103 MT valued at Rs. 347 crores. Even coir pith, considered a waste product till recently, has now found a good market overseas. Last fiscal, 40,027 tonnes of coir pith valued at Rs 28.34 crore were exported against 29,179 tonnes worth Rs 19.76 crore in 2003-04. Growing awareness about coir pith's role as an excellent alternative for recycling in the farming system has pushed up its demand. Incorporating coir pith improves the structure and physical properties of soil. Advantage of coir pith lies in its higher capacity to absorb water - around 400-600 per cent of its weight, which it releases to soil very slowly.
It is estimated that application of 10 tonnes of coir pith per hectare is an effective ameliorative measure against saline and alkaline reactions of soil. Coir pith is available in plenty as it forms 70 per cent of the weight of coconut husk. The increase in export of this product has proved that the promotional activities by Coir Board have yielded positive results. It is now extensively used in horticultural operations and for manufacturing manure. The Netherlands has become a major importer of coir pith mainly for value addition and re-export. Other main importers are Australia, the UK, the US, and New Zealand.
Coir fibre shipments have also shown a marginal increase last fiscal despite the fact that there was a shortage of it in the country. However, 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 made of synthetic and other natural fibres such as jute are replacing the coir product.
April 13' 2005
