Coir is a renewable natural material produced at low cost with abundant availability in India. The industry, which was confined to Kerala in India, has now spread to other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa etc. over the years on account of various development and promotional programs.

Asia – Pacific region produces 86% of the coconut in the world. Only a handful of the 15 producing countries in the region are known to be coir producers. India is the largest producer and exporter of coir and coir products. Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and now Vietnam are the other primary producers of the fiber, with varying levels of production capabilities. Value addition in coir is at its best in India where the fiber is converted into exquisite floor coverings, Geo textiles, etc. which have earned a name in the international market.

The growing global awareness on natural fiber products finds increasing demand of environmental-friendly products like coir geo textiles for various applications, especially in erosion control, storm water management, natural  resource protection, ground and roof cover, and for restoration of vegetation in arid and rocky lands. Being an eco-friendly product, its application never sustains any damages to environment. The long-term bio-degradable geo fabric is also used for soil bioengineering and garden article.

Owing to their awareness, the developed world is always in a higher demand of the fiber as compared to the production there. With coir being a useful product for embankment, and also for household uses like mats and ropes, it’s a rage in many countries. On the other hand, since the natural fiber is not produced in more than half of the globe, they import it from the producing countries.

Apart from its traditional use as rope, yarn, and floor covering, coir fiber is finding new applications as an eco-friendly substitute for wood and synthetics. The by-product of the industry, coir pitch, is increasingly being used as a soil conditioner.  The future of coir industry depends on the non-traditional areas and non-conventional products.

The coir industry in India has had a strong export orientation. India’s independence brought a paradigm change in the history of country’s coir industry. The structure and production have undergone substantial changes. The pattern of exports and product mix has also changed.

India became an exporter of value added goods from being a fiber and yarn exporter. Resultantly, this brought about a major shift in the total volume and value of exports. The average exports during 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were 73,200 MT per annum, declining to 62,300 MT per annum, 45,700 MT per annum, and 26, 700 MT per annum respectively.

On the other hand, an upswing in terms of value was registered throughout this period. Average annual report realization in 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, mid 90s and 2003 was Rs. 80 million, Rs. 120 million, Rs. 210 million, Rs. 300 million, Rs. 1,710 million, going further up to Rs. 3,400 million respectively. The industry today enjoys a 30% share in the country’s foreign trade.

The growing demand, and rise in earnings, of the natural fiber in offshore markets can be attributed to B2B Trade Leads, bringingIndian Manufacturers and Indian Exporters to the presence of Indian Trade Portal, and enhancing their presence in International Trade Leads.