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 2023-24, 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 2023-24.