Coir Product Exports Exceed Target

Kochi: Export of coir and coir products has reached a record Rs 605.17 crore during the last fiscal. The total shipments also recorded an all-time high level of 1,68,755 tonnes as against 1,36,026 tonnes valued at Rs 508.44 crore in the previous fiscal. The export during the year had exceeded the target of Rs 572 crore ($130 million). The Ministry during the current financial year has set a target of Rs 665 crore ($165 million) from coir exports. The US is the single largest market with a share of more than 37 per cent of the total exports. European countries together share more than 41 per cent of the exports. Export of rubberised coir item increased from 537 tonnes to 947 tonnes in quantity and in terms of value increased from Rs 377.05 lakh to Rs 697.86 lakh compared with the same period of the previous year.
The export of Tufted Mat increased from 19,671 tonnes to 29,017 tonnes in quantity and in terms of value it increased from Rs 11606 lakh to Rs 18,213 lakh compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. Domestic sale of coir products was low and the Board was making efforts to increase the sales by selling through 10,000 franchisee outlets in the country. The Board also proposes to conduct India International Coir Fair 2007 in December and the Commerce Ministry has already sanctioned Rs 1.25 crore for the conduct of the fair.