The success story of coir continued this year also with the commodity registering a record export target.

According to Coir Board, coir exports from the nation touched an all-time high in 2006-07 with an impressive increase in both quantity and value.

In value terms, the coir exports stood at Rs 605.17 crore (Rs 6.051 billion), an increase of 19% compared to Rs 508.44 crore (Rs 5.084 billion) in the previous fiscal. Coir Board chairman A C Jose told reporters that during 2006-07, 1.69 lakh (169,000) tonne of coir products were exported from India, compared to 1.36 lakh (136,000) tonne in 2005-06, a growth of 24%.

A strong rupee did affect coir export last year and was likely to hit exports this year also, he said while adding that the board has surpassed the export targets set by the ministry of textiles.

The number of countries importing Indian coir products too increased during the year to 97 from 90, he added. America continued to be the single largest market, accounting for more than 37%of the total export.

European countries together accounted for more than 41% with the remaining 22% shared by a number of countries.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium are among the major markets of coir and coir products.

Export of rubberised coir items have also shown an impressive increase to 947 tonne from 537 tonne last fiscal and in terms of value it increased from Rs 3.77 crore (Rs 37.7 million) to Rs 6.97 crore (Rs 69.7 million), he said. But exports of coir rugs and carpets declined by 65% in quantity and 59% in value. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 22.50 crore (Rs 225 million) for the modernisation of looms to increase productivity.