The strengthening of the dollar during the past few months has enabled the coir sector to stage a turnaround in the total value of exports. According to Coir Board sources, exports during the first three months of FY09 registered a value increase of 2%. In terms of volume, the increase was at 8%.
During the last financial year, the coir sector suffered reverses due to the strengthening of the rupee and incremental coir exports were carried out at declining unit value. While the volume of exports increased by 10.5% during 2007-08, when compared to the pervious financial year, the value dropped by 2.7%.
As per the provisional figures released by the Coir Board, the export of coir and coir products during April – June 2008 stands at 45,038 tonne, with a value of Rs 129.63 crore. During the corresponding period of April – June 2007, exports stood at 41,766 tonne in volume and were valued at Rs 127.10 crore.
During April-June 2008, the export of coir pith, rubbersied coir, coir rope and mats showed positive trends, while rugs, yarn and matting registered a negative course. Coir rope was the star performer, having recorded a 1,550%- increase in quantity exported. Export of rope increased from 2 tonne to 33 tonne and in terms of value it has gone up from Rs 1.24 lakh to Rs 10.16 lakh (719%) when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.