New Delhi, Feb 10 (KNN) Despite COVID – 19, the export of Coir and Coir products from India during the first half of the year 2020-21 has registered a growth of Rs 1662.43 crore with an increase of around Rs 300.00 crore from the first half of previous year.

This is also the highest half year figure ever recorded in the history of the Coir Board. The total exports of coir and coir products for the first half of the year were worth Rs. 1361.45 crore in 2019-20.

''During the first half of the year 2020-21, 5,43,393 MT of coir and coir products were exported from the country as against 4,93,399 MT exported during the first half of preceding year. The increase, in value, works out to be 22.1 per cent and, in terms of quantity, 10.1 per cent when compared to the corresponding figures of the previous year. The trend shows that coir exports will cross all the records by the end of this year,'' an official statement said on Tuesday.

Coir pith with export earnings of Rs. 835.26 crore constituted 50 per cent of the total export of coir products from the country. Coir fibre with an export of Rs. 303.69 crore constituted to 18 per cent of the total exports.

''The value-added items put together constituted 31 per cent of the total exports. 'Tufted Mats' topped among the value added products (20 per cent in value),'' the statement added.

During the first half of the year 2020-21, 97 countries imported coir and coir products from India. USA topped the importing countries with 30 per cent in value and 17 per cent in quantity.

China is the second largest importer of coir products from India with a share of 23 per cent in value and 37 per cent in quantity. Netherlands, UK, South Korea, Spain, Australia, Italy, Germany and Canada imported substantial quanti­ties of coir and coir products during the period.

The work from home nature of the European/ US countries caused increase in exports of coir floor coverings and coir pith. During the post lock-down, most of the units are running more than the capacity to cater to the demand.

The total production of coir and coir products was 4,40,000 MT during the first half of the current financial year, which helped to open new employment opportunities, which gives a new horizon of hope to coir industry, the statement read further.

Consumption of coir and coir products in the domestic market also shows an increasing trend. The Coir Board showrooms across the country could achieve a total sale of Rs 691.69 lakhs.