Substantial export growth in coir sector

Kochi, Jan 9 (UNI) The export of coir and related products registered an increase of 9.46 per cent in terms of quantity and 10.75 per cent in value for the period of April to December 2006.

According to an official release here today, for the period the export amounted to 109,688 tonnes valued at Rs 42,117.54 lakhs-- an increase of 9,476 metric tonnes compared to the corresponding period last year.

During the period, the export of coir yarn recorded an increase of one per cent in quantity and four per cent in terms of value, as against the previous year.

The export of coir mat increased from 48,409 to 51,499 tonnes in quantity, an increase of six per cent and in terms of value it increased from Rs 29,543.23 lakh to Rs 32,582.98, increase of ten per cent, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

The export of rubberised coir registered a growth of 53 per cent in quantity and 63 per cent in value compared to the same period of the previous year, the release added.

The coir fibre export grew phemonenally from 1,029 tonnes to 3,262 tonnes in quantity, an appreciation of 217 per cent and in terms of value it increased from Rs 128.67 lakhs to Rs 383.51 lakhs, increase by 198 per cent.

The export of coir geotextiles increased from 2,056 tonnes to 2,450 tonnes in quantity and in terms of value it increased from Rs 943.66 lakhs to Rs 1,027.25 lakhs, the release said.

In the case of curled coir, 1,291 tonnes of curled coir valued at Rs 146.85 lakhs had been exported during this period while there was no export of this product in last fiscal.

UNI