During 2019-20, coconut fibre and coir products were exported from India to the tune of Rs.2757.90 crore. This is higher than ever before which is more than 30 crores previous year 2018-19. Exports that year stood at Rs 2728.04 crore. In 2019-20, 9,88,996 metric tons of rope and rope production materials were exported. It was 964046 MT in 2018-19.
Exports of coconut fibre particles, knotted mats, earthenware, rope rugs, carpets, other materials, coconut fibre and loom mats are highly valued. Exports of handloom mats, rope yarn, rubber rope and power loom mats have increased in value despite the declining volume.
Coir pith with export earnings of Rs. 1349.63 crore constituted 49 per cent of the total export of coir products from the country. Coir fibre with the export of Rs. 498.43 crore constituted 18 per cent of the total exports. The value-added items put together constituted 33 per cent of the total exports.
Similarly, sales of these products are on the rise in the local market. Exports are made through various ports in India. Almost 99 per cent of the rope material is handled through the ports of Thoothukudi, Kochi and Chennai. The major ports of Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and Kolkata are also used for low volume exports by road from Kannur and Coimbatore.