Introduction
Coir is one of the oldest industries in India. It contributes significantly to the economy of the country’s major coconut-producing states, i.e., Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Assam, Orissa, Andaman & Nicobar, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, etc. India, the major global coconut producer, accounts for more than two-thirds of the world’s coir and coir products production. Global annual coir production is about 350,000 metric tons (MT) of which India along with Sri Lanka accounts for about 90% of the total global coir fiber production.
The coir industry employs about 5.5 lakh (0.55 million) people in the country. Kerala accounts for about 61% of India’s coconut production, and 85% of coir products. The industry is a good source of employment in the country’s rural economy, especially for the women population.
India produces coir fiber, yarn, mats, mattings, rugs, non-woven products, geotextiles, piths, and other coir products. The coir pith, fiber and mats account for most of the coir exports out of India in terms of quantity with a share of 57%, 33% and 5% in FY24, respectively. In terms of the exported value, the percentage share of coir pith, tufted mats and fiber was 54.09%, 17.50% and 14.23%, respectively, during FY24.
Export Trends
The value of exports of coir and coir products stood at US$ 410.25 million FY24. During the same period, the export quantity was 1232.09 thousand metric tons (MMT), a decrease of 2.6% YoY.
India exports coir pith, coir fiber, tufted mats, handloom mats, power loom mats, coir yarn, coir geotextiles, handloom matting, power loom matting, rubberized coir, rugs, etc.
In March 2022, India’s exports of coir and coir-produced exports stood at US$ 56.21 million. From April to October 2021, India’s coir and coir products exports stood at Rs. 2,589 crore (US$ 327 million). This was a 30% increase from the same period in the previous year. The exports during April-October 2021 were 0.73 million MT, an increase of 13.5% from the same period in the previous year. Over 10 years (between 2011-12 to 2020-21), the exports of total coir and coir products from India have seen a CAGR of 15%.
Export Destinations
India exports coir and coir products to more than 100 countries around the globe. During 2023-24, about 120 countries exported coir products from India. Among these, the USA, China, Netherlands, South Korea, UK, Spain, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, UAE and Peru are some of the top importers. The USA is the largest importer of coir and coir products from India, accounting for 11.49% of the total quantity and 25.24% of the total value exported from India in FY24. China is the second largest importer, accounting for 23.26% of the value and 43.71% of the quantity during the same period.
For coir products, the biggest importers during FY24 were the USA, China, Netherlands, UK, Spain, South Korea, Australia (out of a total of 120 countries), accounting for ~75% of the total quantity exported from India.
India exported coir tufted mats to about 77 countries in 2021-22 and out of these USA, the UK, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands accounted for 80% of the export quantity. With 60% of the imports in terms of value and quantity, the USA was India's largest top export destination during FY22.
China is the largest importer of coir fiber from India, contributing to 97% of the total quantity and 96% of the total value exported out of the country in FY22.
Government Initiatives
For developing the coir industry in India, the Coir Board has launched schemes such as the Coir Vikas Yojana (Coir Development Scheme), Coir Industry Technology Upgradation Scheme, Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana. The Export Market Promotion Scheme and Domestic Market Promotion Scheme focuses on improving exports and domestic sales of coir and coir products.
Coir Industry Technology Upgradation Scheme (CITUS)
The main objective of CITUS is to assist entrepreneurs in the upgradation and procurement of eligible plants and machinery. This way, the Coir Board aims to improve the productivity and quantity of coir products. Some of the other objectives of this scheme are to establish state-of-the-art processing units, enhance the utilization of raw materials, create employment opportunities, and attract newer entrepreneurs in the coir industry.
A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)
The ASPIRE scheme aims to establish a network of technology centres and startup incubation centres in the rural parts of India. For the development and promotion of the coir industry, the Ministry of MSME and the Coir Board established the Livelihood Business Incubation (LBI) models for the coir industry.
Scheme of Fund for Rejuvenation of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)
Launched in 2005 by the Ministry of MSME, the SFURTI scheme aims to make the traditional industries in India more competitive, market-driven, productive, profitable, and capable of generating employment, especially in the rural parts of India.
Governing Body
Coir Board of India
The Coir Board of India was established in 1953 for the promotion and development of the coir industry. The main functions of the board are to promote the development of the coir industry, promote of export of coir yarn and products, undertake, and encourage scientific, technological and economic research, collect and maintain statistics, improve the marketing of related products and advise the Government of India in growth-related matters. The headquarters of the coir board is in Kerala and runs 48 establishments including 29 marketing outlets across the country.
RELATED SITES
"Coir House", M.G. Road,
Kochi 682 016
Kerala
India
Tel.:+91-484-2351807
Fax: +91-484-2370034
Email: coirboard@nic.in
Website: http://coirboard.gov.in
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