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. India along with Sri Lanka accounts for about 90% of the total global coir fiber production. India produces about 350,000 metric tons (MT) of coir fiber annually.
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 52.3%, 35.3% and 7.6% in 2022-23, respectively. In terms of the exported value, the percentage share of coir pith, tufted mats and fiber was 46.8%, 26.2% and 13.2%, respectively, during 2022-23.