Domestic coir exports climb 7.33 per cent

Domestic coir products are finding acceptance in overseas markets if the 7.33 per cent rise in quantity during the first half of the current financial year [April - September] is any indication. The export figures touched a total of 71,840 tonne.

In September alone, India exported 11,098 tonne products valued at Rs 39.59 crore, an increase of 0.08 per cent in quantity and 1.85 per cent in value.

Total export earnings registered a cumulative growth of 13.79 per cent at Rs 268.43 crore. During April-September, 2005, India exported 66,934 tonne coir products which fetched Rs 235.89 crore.

The Coir Board, which is also looking after overseas markets, has set a target of Rs 700 crore export revenue during the current fiscal.

AC Jose, chairman of the board, said the figures could be achieved as the main export season (October-March) is ahead. "April-September is a rather lean season. We can achieve the target by March 2007," he said.

Major items shipped to the overseas markets are coir mats and coir piths and yarns. While 33,453 tonne coir mats, valued at Rs 208.26 crore, were exported, the figures for coir piths were 28,554 tonne, costing Rs 22.10 crore.

However, exports of coir rugs and carpets suffered a setback and the export of these items dropped from 833 tonne to 180 tonne. High price tag and competition from the Philippines pushed down the Indian products.

During the April -September period, these products witnessed 78 per cent drop in quantity and 72 per cent reduction in value.

But coir fibre showed an increase as 1,243 tonne fibre, valued at Rs 1.49 crore, were exported compared with 763 tonne (Rs 94 lakh) during the same period in 2005-06.