Coir export inches close to Rs 2000 crore

KOCHI:As export of coir products inches closer to Rs 2000 crore mark, the Coir Board has outlined plans to double it in three years.

Coir Board chairman C P Radhakrishnan said coir pith, coir geo textiles and coir mats will be the products the sector would be focusing to boost export and domestic sales. Coir exports for 2015-16 touched 752,020 tonnes valued at Rs 1901.62 crore showing 20% rise in quantity and 17% in value from a year ago.

``After recording an export of 408897 tonnes, coir pith has notched up the top position in terms of quantity with a share of 54%. Other products like tufted mat, coir geotextiles, handloom mattings, powerloom mat and coir rugs and carpets showed rising trend in exports,’’ Radhakrishnan said.

The US, China, Netherlands and South Korea are the main buyers of coir products from India. China is the principal buyer of coir fibre from India.

As of now, only about 45% of the total production of coconuts estimated at 20,440 million nuts is being utilised as raw material by the coir industry. The board plans to enhance the raw material utilisation to a level of 60% of its availability in next five years.

Radhakrishnan said, the coir industry has to undergo a paradigm shift towards technology advancement, increasing productivity and improvement in working conditions. Setting up of more common facility and incubation centres and promotion of domestic market are some important goals set by the board.

``We will hold talks with surface transport, railways and mining ministries for raising the use of coir geotextiles for preventing soil erosion and protection of environment,’’ he said. Coir pith and geotextiles can be used for creation of green cover on top of mine dumps.