Coir exports to meet target of Rs 600 crore

KOCHI: Though there is a marginal decline in the coir exports for January, Coir Board estimates that the current year target of Rs 600 crore will be achieved considering that cumulative export for ten months shows an increase.

For the ten month period ended January, the coir export stood at 1,54,092 tonnes valued at Rs 516.74 crore. This showed 2 % rise in quantity and nearly 6 % increase in value in rupee terms compared with the same period in previous year, according Coir Board sources.

For January, the coir export was 16,291 tonnes valued Rs 52.02 crore with 0.15 % decline in quantity and 7 % decline in value compared with same month in previous year. With another two months to go, the board is expecting around Rs 80 crore worth of export to materialize despite a decline in the US market. However, with appreciation of rupee, the target of $ 140 million in dollar terms may not achieved.

Coir mats account for the bulk of the export with Rs 385 crore. The next saleable commodity is the coir pith, the export of which came to Rs 65 crore.