Coir exports during the current financial year has started on a positive note as overseas sales showed a record increase.
Exports rose by 45% in volume and 2.18 % in value in April as compared to the same period, Coir board sources said.
However, per unit realisation has not risen much because the growth has largely come from export of raw materials like coir fibre and curled coir and not from value added materials like mats and carpets. Exports rose despite currency fluctuation and slowdown in the European market.
In 2009-10, coir exports touched 2,94,508.05 tonne valued at Rs 804 crore, registering a growth of 47.31 % in volume terms and 25.64 % in value terms as against 1,99,924.94 tonne valued at Rs 639 crore exported during the corresponding period of the previous year.
While there are concerns that the current European crisis could hamper growth, Coir board officials are fairly confident that growth can be maintained exports are rising because of strong demand from from non-traditional areas in Asia and South East Asia.
While export of non-traditional products like coir pith, coir fibre, PVC tufted mats and curled coir rose, export of traditional products including handloom mats and handloom either dropped or remained flat.
?The traditional market like the US and Euro Zone mainly imports conventional products like mats and carpets. Export of these products are slowing down while non-traditional items like curled coir, fibre, yard and pith are trading more,? an exporter from Allepey told FE.
Exports of coir fibre rose by 273 % in volume and 299 % in value during the period 2009-10.
Similarly, curled coir exports were up by 130 % in volume and 186 % in value during the same period.
The impressive export performance has come with the generous help from China and South Korea, who are consuming enormous volumes of curled coir and fibre from India.
In April 2010, curled coir and coir fibre exports have maintained their growth while yarn and rope have fallen short of the normal trade.
?Exports are usually lower during the initial months of the new fiscal and tend to pick up speed as the year progress. Except for strengthening of Indian rupee which could lower realisation other factors look positive,? Board sources said.
