Coir exports jump 32 percent to Rs 1,476 crore in FY14.

KOCHI: Export of coir and its products jumped by 32 per cent to a record high of Rs 1,476 crore in 2013-14 and China topped the list of importers, the Coir Board said today. Coir exports were worth Rs 1,116 crore in the previous financial year, Coir Board chairman G Balachandran said.

In volume terms, coir exports increased to 5,37,040 tonnes in FY14, from 4,29,501 tonnes in FY13, recording a growth of 25 per cent, a statement said. China accounted for 24.42 per cent of total export of coir and coir products in 2013-14.

In the preceding years, the US was top in the list, the chairman said, expressing concern at the large export of coir fibre from India to China. He said that the government should take immediate steps to send value-added products to China instead of exporting raw materials.

In 2013-14, 1,92,110 tonnes of coir fibre, valued at Rs 360.5 crore, was exported to China, which is 36 per cent in quantity and 24.42 per cent in value of total exports, he said. About 55,091 tonnes of coir products valued at Rs 300 crore were exported to the US during 2013-14. This accounts for 10.26 per cent in quantity and 20.34 per cent in value.

Coir products were exported to 103 countries from India during 2013-14. Coir fibre, yarn, tufted coir matting, geotextiles and coir pith have shown an increase in exports.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com