Sources in the Coir Board told The Financial Express that coir exports had exceeded the export targets for the last fiscal because of increased export of geotextiles to countries like the United States, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. "During the last fiscal, we exported 733 tonnes of geotextiles to these countries compared to the 361 tonnes during 1996-97," he said.

The performance of coir exports comes as a breather for the nearly two million people depending directly and indirectly on the coir industry in Kerala. The Coir Board had perceived adverse market conditionsand had fixed export target for 1997-98 at Rs 212 crore. A deterioration in quality and competition from other eco-friendly fibres had eroded the chances of survival of coir in the international market. However, better quality and value addition held promise that the coir industry could survive the challenges.

Coir Board sources said that during the current fiscal they expected export growth between 10 and 15 per cent. "If some of the schemes we have proposed to the union commerce ministry are approved, we can definitely meet our expectations," sources added. The Coir Board is understood to have put up several plans before the union ministry for approval and implementation. The proposals include an international coir expo to create awareness about the specialty of coir and the variety of products available.

The coir industry is acutely aware that survival in the international market depends on quality and product diversification. This is evident from the breakup of export figures for the last fiscal.While export of coir mattings, geotextiles, coir pith and yarn recorded improvement, export of traditional items like door mats, rugs and carpets fell short of the previous year.

In the meanwhile, coir products sales through Coir Board's 33 showrooms in the domestic market has shown a fall of 7 per cent during the last financial year. The total sales turnover during 1997-98 was Rs 833.47 lakh compared to the Rs 893.55 lakh during 1996-97.