Coir Exports register 19 per cent growth

Kochi, May 14: Coir exports have touched Rs 605.17 crore reigistering a growth of 19 per cent for the fiscal 2006-07 as against Rs 508.44 crore last year.

Announcing this here today, Coir Board Chairman A C Jose said exports for this fiscal recorded 1,68,755 tonnes in volume compared to 1,36,026 tonnes last year, an increase of 24 per cent in quantity.

"The US was the single largest market with a share of more than 37 per cent and the European countries accounted for 41 per cent of the total export markets," Mr Jose said.

The US, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Australia, France, Spain, Canada, Japan, Greece, Sweden, South Africa, UAE, Portugal and Denmark were the major markets for coir and coir-products, he added.

Mr Jose said the export of rubberised coir increased from 537 tonnes to 947 tonnes in quantity and in terms of value it jumped from Rs 377.05 lakhs to Rs 697.86 lakhs in this fiscal.

The export of Tufted Mats also went up from 19,671 tonnes to 29,017 tonnes in quantity and Rs 11,606 lakhs to Rs 18,213 lakhs in value, Mr Jose noted.

"The export target for next fiscal has been fixed at Rs 660 crore, eventhough the exports may be affected by the dollar fluctuations," he added.

The domestic trade was not encouraging as it recorded only a dismal Rs 100 crore and the board was chalking out policies to spruce up the market, Mr Jose said.

He said around 1000 outlets would be opened in association with private entrepreneurs to market coir products.

"The Board has also reached into an agreement with Indian Oil Corporation to sell coir products through their petrol pumps in the country," Mr Jose said.

UNI