Chapter 111

THE COIR INDUSTRY : AN OVERVIEW

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KERALA

In this chapter a profile of the Coir Industry is outlined. The production of coconut

(the basic raw material for the industry), origin and emergence of the Coir Industry and

production of coir are explained in the beginning. Then the structure and organisation of the

Coir Industry, where the processing of coir viz., the retting of husks, extraction of coir fibre,

spinning of coir yam, manufacturing of coir products etc. are described in details. Then the

employment position., export performance and internal consumption of coir are explained.

3 .1 Origin of Coir and Coir Industry:-

Coir is the native name of the fibre extracted from coconut husk, the fibrous mass

surrounding coconut, the fruit of the perennial plant cultivated extensively in the

tropics'. There is every reason to believe that the word 'Coir' has its origin from

the Malayalam word 'Kayar' which means a cord, string or yarn spun out of

fibre extracted from the husk of the coconut2 Cocos fibre or coir extracted from

the husk of the coconut is classed among the industrial hard fibres which enter the

world market in the form of fibre, spun yarn or floor coverings. Kerala, the land

of coconut palm, got its name by this fact from the Sanskrit word 'Kera', the

name for coconut tree. The word coir was supplied to the European vocabulary

by MarcoPolo, the talia an trave1ler.l

' Pylee, M.V (1976): "A Study of Coir Industry in India : Problems and Prospects (1975)", Coir Board, Cochii, P. 1.

Coir Board (1966): "Coir Yarn, PL Study on Different Types ofCoir Yam Produced in India", Cou House, Cochin, P.2.

' Coir Bord (1969): " Commodity Note On Coir Mattings, Rugs, Mourzouks, and Carpets", Cochin , P.1.

The Coir Industry has a very long history in India. Rope and Cordage made out

of coconut fibre have been in use from ancient times. Indian navigators who sailed

the Seas to Malaya, Java, China, and to the Gulf of Arabia, centuries ago, had 4

been using coir as their Ships Cables. Arab writers of the eleventh century 5

referred to the extensive use of coir as ship cable, fenders and riggings. The

remarkable inteniational correspondent of ancient times, Marco Polo commented

on the uses to which coir was put in ship building in the Persian Gulf. He later

saw the land where Arabs bought their coir and recorded how it was made out of

the fibre extracted from the coconut husk.6 The Arabs have been trading with

th Malabar Coast of K.erala in India even in 13 century and there is evidence that

they were familiar with the use of coir in ship building and also as cord and tug

rope. There are legends establishing the trade of coir from Kerala by the Europeans.

The Portuguese merchants who arrived in Kerala, purchased coir and exported it

to their own country. The increased demand for coir in the European market

forced the merchants to make large scale purchase of the product to satisfy

European market requirements. The increase in the demand for coir in Europe

compelled the Dutch merchants also to concentrate in this business. In the 14Ih

century, both the Portuguese and Dutch merchants had purchased and exported

about 1400 tones coir yarn from Kerala. Following the Portuguese and Dutch,

the English merchants also entered the market.

Facts record that there was Coir Industry in U.K before the 2'* half of the 19Ih

century. In 1840, Captain Wideley, in co-operation with Captain Logan and

Mr. Thomas Treloar founded the well-known carpet firms of Treloar and Sons in

- Ibid.

Ibid.

Bhaskaran, Unnithan, K (1970): " Coir Industry in India with Special Reference to Marketing and Trade", Coir Board, Cochin., P.2.

Ludgate Hill, England for the manufacture of coir in to various fabrics suitable for

floor coverings.' This was the first coir carpet factory in the world. The initial

capital investment was1 35 pound with only three workers. he himself and his two

children. The capital investment increased over aperiod of a decades to 2 lakh

pound and the number of workers increased to 104. The coir yarn required for

his factory was purchased from Kerala and Sri Lanka.Treloar's business success

prompted Captain Wint to start another factory in England to produce Coir Mats.

However the product did not have any market and thus the factory was forced to 8

be closed down.

Hand spinning of coir yam was prevalent in India as a cottage industry even before

the 1 1lh century. Production of coir Yarn on the spindles of ratt was a later

development possibly in the 15'' century. The cok manufacturing industry producing

coir mats, mattings and other floor coverings was started in India on a factory

basis, over a hundred years ago when the first factory was set up in Alleppey in

1859 by the late Mr.James Darragh, an adventurous Irish born American national

enterprising Indian followed the trial blazed by this foreigner.9 Ever since this

humble beginning, coir products have been improving in quality, quantity and

variety. Now this Industry is flourishing and known everywhere in the world.

For historical reasons, cultivation of coconut and the Coir Industry have taken

deep roots in Kerala state. The rapid expansion of coconut cultivation in non-

traditional areas increased the production of coconut and the industry has also

developed in a significant way in the state of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra

' Coir Board, Commodity Note Om Coir Mattings etc. Op.cit, PP. 1,2. Subhash Chandran, B (1995): "The History of coir, Kayar Vyavasaya Naveekarana Seminarum PradaMnavumV( Smaranika) (Mirlayalam Script), Directorate of Coir Development, 'Ihiivananthapuram, P.169.

Coir Board, Commodity Notes On Coir Mattings etc. Op cit., P.2.

Pradesh, Orissa. West Bengal, Gujarat, Goa, Assam, Lakshadweep,.Andaman , >

and Nicobar Islandl, Pondicherry and Tripura. <

3.2 Coir Industry And Coconut Production :

The scope for the future expansion of the Coir Industry is closely related to the

availability of coconut husks. This is because the coir is made from the fibre

extracted from coconut husks. The development of Coir Industry was, therefore,

mainly associated with the production of coconut. The coconut palm, more

appropriately called "Kalpavriksha" has been in cultivation in India from time

immemorial. The mention ofthe palm indicates that coconut was found in India

only during the Po:st Vedic Period. But, from where exactly it was bought in to

10 India was not known. Some people says that the coconut drifted in the sea

from Polynesia and found new homes in many parts of the world. According to

the early Greek chronicles it was Megasthenes, Ambassador of Seluces Nicator,

who told the Indian King Chandragupta about the palms he found in Ceylone in

300 B.C" Three theories are prevalent about the origin of the coconut:The first

one is that,the palm is believed to have originated in the northern end of the

Andes in South America.The second theory is that it must have originated on the

coasts of Central A.merica from where the nuts might have been carried by the

equatorial ocean countries to the Pacific Island.The third theory which is widely

accepted, assign the origin of the coconut to South Asia or Malaysia from where

12 it might have accidently reached America.

The coconut cultivation was started for the first time in Kerala by the 'Shanar'

community which is supposed to be one of the earliest tribes in Kerala. The

' O Ibid, P.2. " Indian Coconut Committee, History and Homes of Coconut, Coconut Bulletin (Sep. 1954): P. 202.

'' Coir Board, Commodity Notes 'On Coir Mattings, etc. , Op .cit; PP. 1,2.

earliest information regarding coconut cultivation can be collected from the

description of an ancient Arabian traveller Ibanu Adheer who visited the ancient I 3

Kerala.

3.2.1 World Production of coconut:-

More than 30 countries spread over the tropical belt in the regions of Asia, East

Africa and America grows coconuts and those countries are also Potential

producers. Philippines and Indonesia were the leading producers which alone

contributed about 45% ofthe world production, followed by India and Sri Lanka.

Moreover, the six major coconut producing countries viz. Philippines, Indonesia,

India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand together account for 80% of the total 14

world production of coconut. But India rank first in the production as well as

productivity of coconut in the world after 1995. In 1996, India's production of

coconut became 1400 crores and productivity was 7777 coconut. In Indonesia

and Philippines these figures are 1360, 1194 crores and 3630,3859 coconut

I5 respectively. In 1998, India's production was 1308 crores and productivity

becomes 6899 coconut per hectare. In Indonesia it was 1334 crores and 3632

respectively. The following table 3.1 and 3.2 reveals these facts clearly.

" Subash Chandran, B (1995): "The History of Coir" , Op cit., P. 169.

' Coir Board (1989): "India's Prc~duction, Exports and Internal Consumption of Coir", Cochin, P.1. " Coconut Development Board (Feb. 1998): Indian Coconut Journal, P.3.

Table 3 . 1

Production of Coconut in Different Coconut Growing Countries From 1976 to 1997 (Production in Million Nufs)

Country

1. F.S. Micronesia

2. Fiji

1 3. India

4. Indonesia

5. Malaysia

6. Papua New Guinea

7. Phillippines

8. Soloman Island

9. SriLanka

10. Thailand

11. Vanautau

12. Vietnam

13. Western Samoa

14. Palau

15. Other African Countries

16. Other American Countries

17. Other Asian Countries

18. Other Pacific Countries

Total

Source :- Coconut Development Board, (1998): Coconut Statistics, Kera Bhavan, Kochi, PP. 297, 298. w W

1976

30

33 1

5829

7675

972

900

10662

183

2330

674

351

163

214

45

1928

2449

307

579

35622

1980

45

269

1 5636

8330

1117

1308

15931

176

2026

462

348

389

137

65

1868

2566

353

486

41512

1984

60

293

5808

8060

1170

1248

10906

203

1942

903

465

475

109

'ED

1984

2375

38 1

607

37059

1988

50

138 1 7270

I O ~ O

773

1134

12482

165

1937

1048

3380

739

138

'ED

2405

3641

539

406

44035

1990

47

20 1

7359

11291

946

983

11940

176

2532

1140

446 1174

126

'ED

2478

3609

494

316

47328

1991

44

20 1

1 9700

11687

733

763

11219

149

2184

1140

327

1200

95

'ED

2535

3735

495

315

46592

1992

40

195

10080

12376

883

980

11405

262

22%

1103

327

1010

122

'ED

2129

3352

635

330

47595

1993

40

198

/ !!24!

13030

800

1058

11328

167

2164

1128

317

loo0

144

'ED

2131

3097

565

322

49000

1994

40

1%

!!975

13245

787

840

11207

272

2622

1849

317

978

159

70

2181

3487

585

320

51130

1995

40

196

1 !3300

13521

748

869

12183

280

2755

1898

317

1054

164

'ED

21%

583

3523

322

53598

1997

40

163.32

12988 I 12915

696

906

12853 297

2630

1143

346

1120

175

'ED

6572.94

52915.94

19%

40

1%

!3%8

13595

722

964

11935

288

2546

1130

346

1065

164

'ED

2193 \

588

3470 , 326 )

53598

Table 3.2

Area Under And Production of Coconut in Major C:oconut Growing Countries (1998)

Percentage share

Country

Indonesia

India

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Vietnam

Papua New Guinea

Bmzil Mozambique

Tanzania

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Myanmar

Dominician Republic

Others

Total

Production Percentage (Million nuts) I Share

Area ('000 ha)

3675

1897

3116

442

3 76

187

260

237

105

310

40

33

32

37

1172

11919

Productivity (NutsNo)

3632

6899

3500

5706

3019

5963

3300

3425

5357

1371

7500

8364

8176

5413

4586

4294

Source : APCC Statistical Year Book (1998)

In 2000, India's prc~duction was 12252 million nuts and productivity becomes

6891 coconut per hectare. In Indonesia it was 15 119 million nuts and 4104 respectively.

The following table 3.3 clear these facts

Table 3.3

Area, Production and Productivity of Coconut in Major C:oconut Growing Countries (2000)

1 Country

Indonesia

India

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Vietnam

Papua New Guinea

Blazil

Mozambique

Tanzania

Ghana

Mexico

Malaysia

Vanauatu

Solarnan Islands

Others

Total

Area ('000 ha)

Percentage share

Source : APCC Statistical Year Book(2000)

Production (Million nuts Share

Productivit) (NutsiNo)

3056

7005

3378

5965

3969

3924

4167

141 1

7060

11727

253 1

3542

5593

4500

The table 3.4 shows the trend in the world production of Coconut from 1948 to

2000. The table makes it clear that the production of coconut in the world shows an increasing

trend from 19466 in 1948-52 to 54802 in 1999-2000.

Table 3.4

Trend in the world production of coconut

Year

1948-52

1961-65

1969-7 1

1973-74

1974-75

1975-76

1976-77

1977-78

1978-79

1979-80

1980-8 1

1981-82

1982-83

1983-84

1984-85

Production (million I

Source: (I) From 1948 to 1971- Asian Development Bank, Study of Coconut Industry in A D B Region, vol. I , General Report (Manila 1973) P.72

(2) From 1973 to 1998-Coconut Development Board, Coconut Statistics, Kera Bhavan, Kochi,l998, PP. 297,298.

(3) From 1998-1999 to 1999-2000 - APCC Statistical Year Book.

Year

1985-86

1986-87

1987-88

1988-89

1989-90

1990-91

1991-92

1992-93

1993-94

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

3.2.2 Production of Coconut in India:-

Production (million

nuts)

43241

43810

44035

45665

47328

46592

47595

49000

51 130

5401 5

53598

52915

51181

51101

54802

India accounts for almost 26% of the world's total coconut production and it is

the largest producer of coconut in the world. Until recently, India is the third

largest producer of coconut in the world. The annual production of coconut in

India was estimated at 1400 crores and total area cultivated was 7777 coconut

I 6 per thousand hectares inl996. The all India Coconut Estimate clearly indicates

that 91% ofthe total area and production of coconut in the country is concentrated

in the four Southern States, namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra

~radesh." Among South India Kerala accounts first (with 55% of the total area 18

and 42% of the total production of coconuts in India)

The table given below (table 3.5) shows trend in the total Production ,Area, and

Productivity of coc:onut in India from 1949-50 to 2000-2001.

Table 3.5

Trend in the Production, Area and Productivity of Coconut in India

Year Area (000 ha ) Production (Million nuts)

Productivity (Nuts/ ha)

5208 5238 5246 6659 6122 6663 6523 6785 6777 6728 6838 6466 6194 6273 5927 5949

l6 Ibid.

"Indian Central Coconut Committee, Indian Coconut Journal, 1993, P.3.

''Coir Board (1999): "49' Annual Report 1998-99", Coir House, Kochi, P.20

3 8

Productivity (Nuts/ ha)

5698 5813 5759 5612 5669 5810 5262 5455 5309 5401 5448 5365 5123 5430 5263 5485 5445 5530 4982 5841 5524 5179 5401 5991 6357 6407 6592 7310 7323 7760 7779 6908 6834 7821 6860 6847

1998, P.P. 2 to 48. Data for the years 1996-97,97-98,98-99 and 2000-2001 - Ministry o f Agriculture, Government of India.

Production (Million nuts)

5035.4 5191.8 5321.3 5546.2 5858.7 6075.0 6123.7 5997.2 5850.6 6029.6 5829.4 5765.3 5412.6 5729.7 5662.0 5942.0 5939.9 6356.1 5807.9 6912.8 6770.3 6376.8 7269.9 854 1.4 9358.8 9700.2

10079.6 11240.9 11974.7 13299.6 13967.9 13081.0 12717.3 14924.8 12129.0 12597.3

Statistics, Kera Bhavan, Kochi,

Year

1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979- 80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-9 1 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-2001

Source: Coconut Development

-

Area (000 ha )

883.7 893.0 923.9 988.1

1033.3 1045.5 1088.4 1099.2 1 102.0 11 16.3 1069.9 1074.5 1056.5 1055.0 1075.8 1083.3 1090.8 1149.2 1165.6 1183.3 1225.6 1231.2 1346.0 1425.5 1472.2 1513.9 1528.9 1537.7 1635.1 1713.8 1795.5 1890.7 1861.0 1908.2 1768.1 1839.8

Hoard, Coconut

The table reveals that the extent of area for the cultivation of coconut increases

continuously. It increased from 604-thousand hectares in 1949-50 to 1908 in

1998-99. Though the trend in the production of coconut is increasing there is

fluctuations in consecutive years. It increases from 3148 millionnuts in 1949-50

to 6124 million nuts; in 1971-72, then decline continuously and attain to the lowest

level of 4982 in :I98344 and again increases and attain an all time high level of

14925 million nuts. In 1998-99.The productivity follows the same trend as

production. It increases from 5208 nuts per hectare in 1949-50- to 6785 in 1956-

57, then decline and attain a lowest level of 4982 in 1983-84, then increases and

attain 7821 in 1998-99.

Detailed state wise production, productivity and area of cultivation of coconut in

1997- 98 to 2000- :2001 is given below.

40

Table. 3.6

All India Final Estimate of Coconut in India in 1997-98 and 1998-99

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics. Ministry of Agriculture, Government o f India.

-

State

Andhra Pradesh

Assam

Goa

Karnataka

Kerala

Maharastra

Orissa

- Area

(000ha)

98.2

19.7

24.9

287.8

1078.2

15.1

54.5

Tamil Nadu 266.5

Tripura

W.Bengd

A&N Island

Lakshadweep

Pondichely

All India 1908.2

Area (000ha)

94.9

19.7

24.9

302.4

1020.3

15.1

54.1

1997-98 Production

(Million nuts)

1922.1

126.9

121.0

1495.1

6672.0

226.8

795.1

266.5

9.1

24.3

24.8

2.8

2.1

1861.0

Productivity

19573

6442

4859

5195

6188

15020

14589

3096.7

6.1

318.2

87.5

27.7

29.6

14924.8

1998-99 Production

(Mi l l ion nuts)

815.0

126.9

120.9

1550.4

5911.0

226.8

413.4

11620

670

12935

3548

9893

14095

7821

Productivity

8858

6442

4855

5127

5793

15020

7641

3096.7

6.1

306.2

86.6

27.7

29.6

12717.3

11620

670

12601

3492

9893

14095

6834

Table. 3.7

State-wise Figures of Coconut Production in India During

1999-2000 and 2000-2001

Source: Directorate o f Economics and Statistics, Ministry o f Agriculture, Government of India.

State

Andhra Pradesh Assam

Goa

Kamataka Kerala Maharastra Orissa

Tamil Nadu

Tripura

W.Bengal

A & N Island Lakshadweep Pondichery All India

3.2.3 Coconut Production in Kerala:-

Among the states in India, Kerala is the largest producer of coconut. Inspite of

various unfavourable factors like the low price of coconut, sharp increase in the

cost of production, the area and production of coconut in Kerala continue to

show an increasing trend.

-- Area

(OOOha) -

101.7 20.20 25.00

320.00 899.10

15.10 29.00

304.00 9.10

24.20

24.70 2.80 2.20

1777.7

2000-2001 Area

(000ha)

102.5 20.9

25.0 333.8 936.3

16.8 17.7

323.5 9.10

24.5 24.7 2.8 2.2

1839.8

1999-2000 Production

(Million nuts)

1051.80 150.10 121.60

1670.30 5167.00 226.70 163.30

3222.00 7.50

324.30

87.50 28.30 31.20

12251.60

Production (Millionnuts)

1092.7 135.9

125.1 1754.2 5496.0 244.4 109.9

3158.4 7.0

87.20 87.2 28.0 28.0

12597.3

Table 3.8

Coconut Cultivation in Kerala, 1956-57 to 1995-96

Year

1956-57

1971-72

1972-73

1973-74

1974-75

1975-76

1976-77

1977-78

1978-79

1979-80

1980-81

198 1-82

1982-83

1983-84

1984-85

1985-86

1986-87

1987-88

1988-89

1989-90

1990-9 1

1991-92

1992-93

1993-94

1994-95

1995-96

Area (ha) C- Production (lakhnuts)

Productivity (nuts per hectare)

5260 1 4972

4970

4964

4957

4815

453 1

4800

4557

4509

4457

3813

5022

4792

4493

4315

4432

5236

4865

5377

5842

5885

5858

5638

Source: Coconut Development Board, Coconut Statistics, Kera Bhavan , Kochi, 1998, PP. 134 to 158.

Regarding the Production of coconut ,Kozhikode district stands first followed by

Kannur, Thrissur and Malapuram. These four districts together supply 52% of

coconut in the state. Alappuzha district the beehive of coir production, produces

67% of the total pr~sduction.

3.3 World Coir Production:-

Coir Industry is mostly concentrated in the coconut producing countries like India,

Sri Lanka, Indonesta, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand etc. Although Philippines

and Indonesia together account nearly 45% of the world production of coconut,

19 India and Sri Lalka account to nearly 90% of the world coir production. Coir

Industry has developed on a large scale only in India and Sri Lanka. These two

countries are largest producers and exporters of coir. Owing to fundamental

differences in economic conditions governing coconut cultivation and coir extraction

and those necessary for coir production many of the large coconut producing

countnes viz.Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have only relatively

small coir output. These four countries taken together produce in total only an

estimated 18,000 tonnes ofthe coir annually that is less than 5% of the estimated

20 world productiori of about 3,00,000 tonnes of coir. These ideas are clear from

the world produc:tlon of coir for the years 1973 and 1976.

l9 Cou Board, Coir News (July 1999), Coir House, Kochi, Vol. XXVlll, No.7, P. 19. 'O Coir Board (1989): "India's production, Exports and Internal Consumption of Coir" , Cochin , P.1.

Table. 3.9

World Production of Coir in 1973 and 1976

Source: Coir Board, India's Production, Exports and Internal Consumption of Coir, Kochi, 1974, P.3 and 1976, P.2.

Country

India

Sri Lanka

Tanzania

Bangladesh

Thailand

Philippines

Burma

Kenya

Seychelles

Malaysia

Mozambique

Morocco

Total

Over and above these countries , the member countries of the EEC, notably

Netherlands, France, West Germany, Belgium, Italy and Portugal have their own

well established Coir manufacturing industries. Sonie of the African countries also

produce coir fibre tiomestically. This indicates the magnitude of coir potential in

other countries. The world production of coir fibre from 1991 to 1998 is given in

the following table 3.10 and coir products from1 993 to 1997 in table 3.1 1 .

-- Production

-

155.00

115.00

8.50

5.08

3.00

2.50

2.17

2.00

1.90

1.50

1 .OO

0.50

:298.87 -

1976 Production

155.00

73.00

8.50

5.80

4.00

2.50

2.17

2.00

1.90

1 .SO

1 .OO

0.50

257.87

1973 Percentage

of total

51.86

38.47

2.84

1.94

1 .OO

0.84

0.73

0.72

0.60

0.50

0.33

0.17

100.00

Percentage of total

60.10

28.3 1

3.30

2.25

1.55

0.97

0.84

0.78

0.74

0.58

0.39

0.19

100.00

Table 3.10

Source: F A 0 Statistics. December 1997.

The World Production of Coir Fibre 1991-1998 (in thousand tonnes)

Table 3.11

The World Production of Coir and CoirProducts from 1993-1997

(in metric tonnes)

1998

169.0

68.0

8.7

1.0

246.7

127.0

1997

181.1

64.0

8.7

1.0

254.8

114.9

Country

India (brown fibre)

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Others

Total

India(white fibre for yarn production)

Country

APCC Countries

India

Indonesia

Malaysia

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Other Countries

Total

1995

135.6

64.0

8.7

1.0

209.3

127.7

1996

149.11

59.2

8.7

1 .O

218.0

127.7

- 1991

92.6

76.4

8.6 1.0

178.6

127.0 -

Source: F A 0 Statistics, December 1997.

- 1993 -

97.128

34.5, I6

166

524

204

53.633

8,023

300

97,428

1992

101.9

76.2

8.0

1.0

187.1

127.0

1994

1,11,968

42,738

215

259

273

60,764

7,519

300

1 12,268

1993

112.1

62.7

7.8

1 .O

183.6

127.0

1995

1,12,329

48,383

672

138

917

57,962

4,257

300

1 12,629

1994

123.3

64.9

8.7

1.0

197.9

127.0

1996

I ,02,283

44,660

866

110

927

52,402

3m3 18

300

102,583

1997

1,03,117

46,223

595

225

101

5 1,973

4,000

300

103,417

21 The world production of Coir projected for 2005 A.D is 59,8000 Metric Tonnes.

3.3.1 Production of Coir in India:-

India is the major producer of coir among the coir producing countries in the

world. Of the total world output, India's share is about 56%. Coir Industry in

India consists oflwo distinct segments namely,White fibre and Brown fibre. Almost

the entire production of white fibre in the country gets converted to coir yarn.

About one - fifth of total production of coir yarn goes for the manufacture of

value added products, namely, door mats, rnattings etc. While 60% of the

production of finished products is exported, domestic market consume the balance.

Out of the total production of coir yarn, about 20%gets converted to rope and

cordages mainly for domestic consumption. The balance yam retained as much is

shared between the export and the domestic market. The brown fibre produced

in the country is consumed for rope making, curling, for rubberisation, stuffing,

upholstery etc., besides a part of production being spun in to coir yarn for

manufacture of finished products of coir on a limited scale and that too recently.22

The main producing centres of Coir in India are located in Kerala, Tamil Nadu,

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Besides these states, small quantities of coir are

produced in Orissa,West Bengal, Gujarat, Goa, Assam, Lakshadweep, Andaman

Nicobar Island, Pondicherry and Tripura. Production of white fibre is mainly

concentrated in K.erala with a share of 90% in the total output. Kerala has

considered as the home of the coir Industry in India. Tamil Nadu is the second

largest producer of coir in India contributing to 54% of total production in the

Brown fibre. Karnataka is another important producer of coir in India where

production is mainly confined to bristle and mattress fibre by mechanized process.

21 Coir Board, Coir News (July 1999). Vol.XXVIII.No.7, Coir House Kochi, P.22.

CoirBoard (1989): Op.cit., P.3.

In 'l'an~il Nad~l anti Karnataka production is mainly of brown fibre using

mechanised system of extraction. In Karnataka tlie industry is located in the

Districts of Hassan, Tumkur, Chickmangalur, Mysore, Mandya, Banglore,

Chitradurg, Dhakshina Kannada,Uttara Kannada and Bellary. About 190 units

with an installed capacity of 3 1000 tonnes are working in the state. Total fibre

production in the state is estimated at 20307 tonnes. The share ofwhite fibre is

only 86 tonnes. The state produced coir yarn and products 908.200 tonnes and

29663.594 tonnes respectively in 1998-99.13 About 208 coir units with an

installed capacity of 38000 tonnes are working in the state during 2000-2001.

Total fibre production in the state during 2000-2001 is 21504.99 tonnes (out of

this 21,247.590 tonnes of brown fibre and 257.400 tonnes ofwhite fibre).14

Andhra Pradesh is also amajor producer of coir in India. Coir Industry in Andhra

Pradesh is concentrated in the East Godawari, West Godawari, Srikakulam and

Visakapattanam Districts. There are 113 coir units working in the state. The total 25

production of white fibre is estimated at 15000 M. tonnes in 1998-99. The

total production of coir in India during 1998-99 was 3 1,4000 M.T. It becomes

3,64000 M.T. in 1909-2000. The total production of coir and coir products in

India for the period 1970-71 to 2000-2001 is furnished in the table (3.12) below.

" Coir Board, "45" Annual Report" 1998-99, C o ~ r House, Kochi, P.23. j4 Coir Board, "47" Annual Repoll" 2000-2001, Coir House, Kochi, P.27. " CoirBoard, 0p.cit.. P.3.

Production of coir and coir products in India

Year Coir Fibre I Yam I Product I Rope White 13rown

Curled Coir I Rubberised

Coir

-

Quantity - Product Weight in Tonnes

Source: Coir Board, Annual Reports of va r~ous years, Coir House, Cochin

3.3.2 Production of Coir in Kerala:

26 For historical and geographical reasons, Kerala ranks first in coir production.

Kerala was the major centre of coir production in the country on account of the

availability of large quantity of raw materials, that is, coconut husks. In addition,

because of the abundance of natural retting facilities with long stretch of coastal

areas and lagoons, Kerala alone accounted for over 85% of the total production

in the country anti, therefore, the Coir Industry has taken deep root in this state.

The coastal belt of Kerala (580 km) with a large labour force had given avenues 27

for the development ofthe industry in the areas. Nearly 80% of the Coir Industry

is located in Kerala and about 35% of coir and 90% of the coir products of the

28 country are produced in the state. Kerala is the only state in India where the

Industry has developed to manufacture various types of products out of retted

fibre. Fibre extraction and spinning of coir yam are carried on as a cottage industrty,

extensively in the coastal area but the manufacturing activities are concentrated in

Alappuzha, Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Vycome and suburbs. The production of

coir mats and matting is by and large on handloom but there are units producing

29 coir mattings on power looms also.

The tables given below gives the production of coir and coir goods in Kerala

during 1975-76.

'' State Planning Board (1995): "Kerala Econom~c Review", Thimvananthapuram, P.97. " Varkey, V . 0 (198 1): "Developmenr and workingofCoirCooperatives in Kerala", Poona, P.39 " Coir Board. 43" Annual Report 1996-97, Coir house,Cochin, P.26

Coir Board, Annual Report, 1984-85, Coir House, Cochin , P.17.

Table 3.13

Production of Coir and Coir Goods in Kerala 1975-76

Item

Husk (number in million)

Fibre

White Fibre (tonnes)

Yarn (tonnes)

Mats and mattings (tonnes)

Rope (tonnes)

Curled C:oir (tonnes)

Rubberized Coir (tonnes)

Source: Nair M.N.V. Coir Industry- A Study of its Structure and Organisation with particular reference to Employment in Kerala, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, P.58.

The estimate of production of various coir and coir goods in Kerala both in the

organised and unorganised sector together in 1983-84 are given in the table 3.14.

Table 3.14

Total productio~~ of coir and coir products in Kerala 1983-84

Note: Value Rupees in lakhs.

Source: Department of Economic!; And Statistics, "Report ofthe Survey on Production and Consumption of Coir and Coir Products in Kerala: 1984-85". Thiruvananthapuram, 1986, P.27.

SI.No. Item

1 Coconut Retted Husk

2 Coir Fibre 3 Cleaned Fibre 4 Coir Yam 5 Coir Mats 6 Coir Mattings 7 Coir Other Sorts.

( I ) Tonnes.

Unit

Number in lakhs

Qtl

(2) Sq. Mtr. 1 1 1522210 - 1085

Unorganised Sector Quantity

10495

89454 SMKX) 84257 29101

12

3294

Value

2315

3037 3308 4689 352

2

186

Organised Sector

157.2210

Quantity

110

3244 -

29818 68520 6363

38071

1085

Total Value

24

57 -

1018 326 772

336

Quantity

10605

92698 86000

114075 9762 6375

41365

Value

2339

3094 3308 5707 678 774

522

Estimated production of fibre, Yam and Coir Products during 1994-95 and 1995-

96 is given below.

Table 3.15

Production of Coir And Coir Products in 1994-95 And 1995-96

Source: 1994-95- State Planning Board, EconomicReview 1995, P.98 1995-96- Kerala Statistical Institute, Survey ofCoir Industry in Kerala, TVM, 1997, PP 15,16,17.

Production of Fibre in Kerala in various years are given below.

Table 3.16

Production of Fibre in Kerala

Year I White Fibre

1995-96 (Qty. in tones)

1,61,276 18,089

1,61,65 1 81,491

- Item

- White Fibre Brown Fibre Coir Yam Coir Products

Brown Fibre

2,500

8,300

9,330 15,000 18,089 18,100

1994-95 (Qty. in tonnes)

1,20,000 15,000

-- 26,500

Source: (1) Coir Board, India's Production, Export And Internal Consumption of Coir, Various Issue. (2) Department of Economics and Statistics, "Report of the Survey on Production And

Consumption of Coir and Coir Products in Kerala, 1984-85",Thiruvananthapuram, 1986. (3) Kerala Statistical Institute, Survey of coir Industry in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram,

1997

(4) Coir Board, 47"'Ar1nual Report 2000-2001, Coir House, Kochi, P.19.

The number of units engaged in the production of coir and coir goods in the

unorganganised sector is estimated at 97405. Besides, there are 84 coir producing

units in the factory sector. Thus the total number of coir producing units in the 30

state is estimated a:r97489. The district- wise distribution of coir producing

units in the unorganised sector given in table 3.17 reveals that 72% ofthe units

are concentrated in 4leppey District. The table also reveals that more than 92%

ofthe units are functioning within household premises.

Table 3.17

District-wise Distribution of Coir Production Units

Dismcts

Trivandnun

Quilon

A ~ ~ ~ P P Y Kottayam

Emakularn

Trichur

Malapuram

Kozhikode

Cannanore

Within the Premises.

69806

44780

4359

16108

4925

3900

--

Outside Premises.

1 Total I 96119 1 1286

Source: Department of Economics and Statistics, Report o f the Survey on Production and Consumption of Coir and Coir Products in Kerala 1984-85, P. 10.

Total.

3.4 The Structure of Coir Industry-

Percentage.

The structure and organisation of any industry is determined mainly by the

nature ofthe product and the method or technique of production adopted.

- Department of Economics Ancl Statistics (Nov. 1986) : Report of the Survey on Production and consumption o f coir and coir products in Kerala 1984-85, Thiruvananthapurarn, P.lO.

Coir Industry is in no way an exception to this general rule. The structure of Coir

Industry shows the process of coir which involves the activities like retting of

husks, beating the retted husks to extract fibre, spinning fibre in to yarn and

manufacturing of mats and matting and other coir goods. Accordingly, the Coir

Industry could be broadly divided into 4 sectors namely ( I ) the retting sector (2)

the spinning sector (3) the manufacturing sector and the export sector.

3.4.1 The Retting of Husks:-

The husk of the coconut, 'Cocos-Nucifera' which surrounds the bare shell

protecting the kernel provides the raw materials for the Coir Industry. The most

important commercial utilisation of coconut husk in India is for the extraction of 31

fibre suitable for bringing spun in to yarn. For this the husk has first to be rened.

Retting ofhusk befc~re the extraction of the fibre has been an important feature of

white fibre production and also an important operation in the preparation of coir

retting. It is the process by which the pectinuous matter binding the fibre to the

husk is disintegrated. It consists of keeping the green husk soaked in backwater

and lagoons for a period of 6 to 10 months to obtain the white fibre popularly

known as 'Golden ~ i b r e ' . ~ ? It facilitates a microbiological action towards

decomposing the fibre binding pectic substances. The degradation of pith loosens

the fibre and ease their extraction.13 Method of retting vary from place to place.

In South Kerala, retting is done in backwaters and in the north it is in pits. Retting

is also done in ceinent tanks.

" Unnithan Bhaskaran, K, 0p.cit.. 1'. 16.

'' Coir Board and Department of Coir Development, Govt.of Kerala, Smaranika (Edited) ,Thomas .T. Joseph (1995 ): "Coir Products Modem Trends",TVM,P. 109.

" Isaac Thomas, T.M, Van Stuijver1berg.P.A and Nair, K.N (1991): "The Coir lndushy in Kerala-A Study of Modernisation and Employment Protection", Coir Board ,Cochin , P.104.

It is estimated that 20,000 million husks arerettedevery year. A survey conducted

by the Coir Board in the retting sector of the Coir Industry showed that there

were about 23,800 retters in the state, of which 63% was small scale retters,

retting under 16,000 husks, 27% were medium scale retters retting below 22,500

husks per annum on an average. Although the large scale retters constituted only

10% ,they accounted for about 74% of the total husks retted.34 Thus there are a

large number of people engaged in retting activity in Kerala. Professionals are

retting lakhs of coconut husks every year and coir worker retters with a few

hundred h u ~ k s . ~ ' T h e study conducted by the Directorate of Economic and

Statistics in Kerala in 1984-85 shows that there were 69456 retting units in Kerala,

bulk of them were worker household units.16 The number of workers employed

in retting over and above those engaged in beating the households is estimated at

50,000. Of these 59% are hired workers and the rest householders. The table

3.18 shows the district wise distribution of Coir Workers in the retting activity in

1981 and 1988.The table reveals that regarding the number ofworkers engaged

in retting activity, Quilon district ranks first, followed by Alappuzha, Kozhikode,

Thiruvananthapurani and Trichur.

' Sankaranarayanan, K.C and Karunakaran, V (1985): "Kerala Economy" ,Oxford and IBH Publishing Company, Delhi, P. 193.

jJ Department ofEconomics and Statistics (1986): Op.cit., P.11.

l6 Ibid; P. l I .

Table. 3. 18

District-wise Distribution of Coir Workers in the Retting Activity

1 Districts

Tnvandrum

Quilon

Kottayam

Trichur

Malapuram

Kozhikode

Cannanore

Kasargode

State Total

1981 1988 Male Female Total

-- 667 1801 132 1933

1266 2429 945 3374

557 2993 145 3135 64 629 10 639

,367 1100 417 1517 579 1003 263 1266

186 1050 4 1 1091

1002 1571 464 2035

Source: For 1981 - Kerala I~cc~nomics And Statistics, Report on the Survey of Coir Workers, Thiruvananthapuram, 198 1, P.2 1 For 1988- Department of Economics and Statistics, Report on the Coir Workers Census 1988, Thiruvananthapuram, 1990, PP.I0,26,28.

3.4.2 Extraction of Coir Fibre:-

The extraction of fibre from retted husk is a very important process in Coir Industry.

The traditional method of extraction of fibre was purely manual. After retting, the

husks were taken out and washed. The inner short fibre and the outer skin of well

soaked husks were removed by hand, beaten with a wooden mallet against a log

to thrash out the non- fibrous ti~sue.~' The fibre thus seperated was cleaned further

by hand, washed if necessary and dried in shade with occasional light beating

with sticks to remclvc: the remnants of pith and impurities still left with the fibre.

'' Varkey, V.O. 0p.cit.. P.47.

Based 011 the quality of fibre and the method employed for its production, Coir

Industry can be broadly divided in to 2 sectors, viz, White Fibre Sector and

Brown Fibre Sector. The fibre extracted fromthe green husks by the retting process

is termed White Fibre and that from the green or dry unretted husks by mechanical

action Brown Fibre. The world production of fibre is estimated at 3,73,000 tones

per annum of which 29,600 tones accounted for by India and 68,000 tones by

Sri ~ a n k a . ~ ' India has a virtual monopoly in the production of white fibre ,with 39

over 80% of the rettcd fibre in the world is produced in India. In India production

of white fibre is mainly concentrated in Kerala, with a share of 90% in the total 40

output. In1981 there are 2 108 beating units in Kerala. The survey conducted

by the Department of Economics and Statistics in 1984-85 estimated that there

are about 83,240 Beating units and 438 Fibre cleaning units in Kerala.

Brown Fibre development is largely confined to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra

Pradesh and Orissa. The production and further processing of brown fibre is

largely concentrated in the coconut producing states other than Kerala. Insignificant

amount of brown fibre are being produced in West Bengal ,Goa, Maharashtra,

and Gujarath. There are 654 Brown Fibre extraction units spread over the major

4 1 brown fibre producing states in India. In India the brown fibre industry is fast

developing than the white f ibre3 is seen that the brown fibre production which

was less than 20,000 tones in the middle of 1970's has increased to more than 2

lakhs M.Tomes (see table 3.19 ). On the other hand, the white fibre production

declines in recent years. But the shrink in the production of white fibre from retted

Is Food and Agriculture Statistic::, Rome, Dec. 1998.

Coir Board (July-Dec. 1993 ): "Coir", Half yearly Journal, Cochin, Vol. .XXXVII, P.16.

Department of Economics and Statistics (1981): Op.cit., P.18. " Coir Board (1998-99): Forty Fifth Annual Report, Coir House, Cochin, P.17.

husk is due to the wide use of "coir ret". Therefore, the increase in production is

envisaged in brown, fibre only. With the introduction of coir ret for converting

mechanically extracted green husk fibre in to retted white fibre the difference 42

between the white fibre and brown fibre becomes less pronounced. The total

white fibre production in 2000-2001 was 1.20 lakh tonnes as against 1.52 lakh

tones in 1979-80.

Table 3.1 9

Production of White And Brown Fibre In India

White Fibre Quantity in M. Tonnes

Brown Fibre Quantity in M. Tonnes

15,000

19,000

19,000

32,000

32,300

32,300

30,100

30,100

30,100

34,500

43,700

77,750

53,000

Total

" Coir Board (1997-98) Forty Fourth Annual Report, Coir House, Kochi, P. 18.

White Fibre Quantity in M. Tonnes

Brown Fibre Quantity in M. Tonnes

Total

Source: (i) Coir Board, Annual Reports of Various Years (2) Coir Board(July-December 1993 ): "Coir", Halfyearly Journal, Kochi, Vol.XXXVI1, P.15. (3) Coir Board, India 's Production. Export And Internal Consumption of Coir, Various

Issues, Coir Housm:, Cochin

3.4.2.1 Employment Position:-

The total number of workers employed in Beating and Fibre Cleaning is estimated

as 62285 in 1988 as compared to 45832 in 1981. The District-wise distribution

of coir workers in fibre extraction sector in 1981 and 1988 is given below:-

Table 3.20

Distriet-wise Distribution of Workers in Beating And Fibre Cleaning Sector

1 Districts

Trivandrum

Alleppey

Kottayam

Emakulam

Trichur

Malappuram

Kozhikode

Cannanure

Kasargode

State total

1981 Beating Cleaning

Source:- For 1981- Department of Economics And Statistics, Op.cil., 1981, P.21. For 1988- Department of Economics And Statistics, Op.cit., 1988, PP.10,26,28

-- - Beating

Male Female Total -- 2 64 11621 11884

301 13057 13358

3 63 9716 10079

62 2701 2763

213 5285 5498

321 2146 2463

119 1730 1849

96 4375 447 1

127 1000 1127 21 762 783

1887 53392 54279 -

From the organisational point of view, the fibre is produced under four

system ofproduction; namely (a) on contract basis (b) directly by merchants in

Fibre cleaning

their sheds. (c) by capitalist having mechanised factories and (d) by coir

co- operative societies.

Total

1425

2104

513

92

1172

609

506

399

37

23

8006

Male

1032

1582

11

163981

24 1

167

283

69

11

7

4599

3.4.3 Spinning of Coir Yarn:-

Female

393

522

26

11

93 1

442

223

330

26

16

3407

Spinning of Coir Yarn is the next important stage ofproduction in the Coir Industry.

The spinning sector converts the coir fibre in to coir yam. Coir yam spinning is

the most importarit non - agricultural occupation in South-Western coastal belt of 43

India employing beaween a quarter of a million to half a million workers. Thus

Isaac Thomas, T.M (1990): " Evolution of Organisation o f Production in Coir Yarn Spinning Industry; Working Paper No: 236, Centre for Development Studies, Thimvananthapuram , P. I .

froin the point o fv~~ew of employment, spinning of coir fibre in to yarn is the most

important activity in Coir Industry. India long maintained a virtual monopoly

(90 to 95 %) on the world market for coir yarn, similar to the Sri Lankan

monopoly in coir fibre.Yet, by utilizing crushers, beating machines and Japanese

machine - spinning technique, Sri Lanka has been able to increase its share

from a mere 7% in 1973 to no less than 25%in 1988.~'

Table 3.21

Relative Share of Exports of India and Sri Lanka.

Year --. 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Indian Share Sri Lankan

~ --

Source : Food And Agriculture Organisation; Annual Coir Statistics, Rome.

3.4.3.1 Different Varieties of Coir Yarn:-

The classification of coir yam by the trade is based on the belief that yams produced

in different areas have definite characteristics in respect of colour, twist, pith,

sand etc. brought about by variations in the methods and conditions etc. Different

varieties of coir y arn are produced in Kerala. Each variety is usually named after

the place of its production, as the yarn produced in each place has its own special

quality distinct from others . The in~portant varieties of coir yarns are those of

Anjengo, Vaikom. Beach, Beypore, Quilandy, Alapat, Aratory, Parur, Muppiri, 45

Rope, Mangadan, and others. The Spinning process may be traditional or

modem

Anjengo yarn 1s considered to be the most superior of all varieties of ratt-spun

46 coir yarn producecl in the country. It is the most evenly twisted of all hard-

twisted yarns. The yarn derives its name kom the little village of "Anjengo", midway

between Quilon and Trivandrum. Fine variety of the Anjengo yarn is traded as

'Anjengo-superior', The thick variety known as 'Anjengo-ordinary'is rough and

more hairy. The yam produced in each of the main centres has got its own

characteristics distinct from the others. The thinnest yarn produced in the region

47 is known as 'Vetroor thinY(19/20 score ). The Anjengo area is very extensive,

stretching from Kottunkal in the Neyyattinkara Taluk in the south to Mayyanad in

the Quilon in the north. Important physical properties of major varieties of the

yam are given below. (Table 3.22)

' Kunju Muhammad, K (1966): "Coir Yarn-A Study On Different Types of Coir Yarn Production India", Coir Board, Coir House!, Kochi, P.8

46 Twist o f yarn is the alternate twist found in a given length o f yarn, i.e., one foot or thirty c.m. ' The score denotes the thickness o f the yarn. The method used in determining scorage is to count the number of Warp strands in width of 36 inches and to divide this figure by 20.(i.e., 36/20 )

Table 3.22

Physical properties of Anjengo yarn

- 48

Varieties and Place of' I Runnage I Scorage I Twistper Production I (meter per kg) 1 (average) I foot

Vettoor Thin(Cherunniyoor)

Anjengo special (Murukkun~puzha)

Anjengo superior (Vakkorn)

Anjengo ordinary ( Anjengo )

Anjengo-panathara (Vazhamuttom )

Anjengo- paravoor ( S.Paravoor )

Source : Kunju, Muhamed,K (1 966): Coir Yarn A Study on different types of Coir Yarn produced in India, ICoir Board, Coir House, Kochi, P.9.

3.4.3.1.2. Mangadan Yarn:-

The coir yam produced in and around Mangadan village is known as 'Mangadan

yarn'. Mangadan is a hard -twisted yarn of light golden colow,produced entirely

on the ratt. Thinner variety of the yarn is termed as Mangadan special and thicker

variety is known as Mangadan ordinary. Ninety five percentage of the yarn is

produced in about a dozen villages situated on either sides of the Ashtamudy lake

in the Quilon and Karunagappally Taluk. The physical property ofthis yarn are

given below. (Table 3.23)

Runnage denotes the length of Yarn Per unlt weight, e.g., number ofmeters per kilogram.

Table 3.23

The physical properties of Mangadan yarn

(average) (average)

Source: tiunju. Mohamed. K ( 1966): Coir Yarn - A study on different of types Coir Yarn produced in India, Coir Board, Coil. House, Kochi, P.24.

Mangadan special

Mangadan ordinary

3.4.3.1.3. Ashtamudy Yarn:..

The Ashtamudy 'Yarn is a coarse variety ofratt-spun yarn ofmedium twist. This

yarn is produced in the villages situated on either sides of the Ashtamudy lake and

the Kallada river. Caruva is another name by which this yam is known. This yarn

is inferior in colouu, thick and very hairy in the lower grades. The runnage, scorage

and twist of Ashtamudy thin are 117, 9/10 and 17 respectively. For Caruva

(thick) these are 110,819 and 20 respectively.

195

170

3.4.3.1.4. Alapat Yarn:-

Alapat Yarn, is mostly spun by hand, is considered to be the most superior of all

varieties of handspun produced in the country. The finest varieties of this yarn

are traded as Real Alapat, Alapat Star etc. There is an inferior variety of Alapat

yarn known as Chavara Alapat. Alapat yarn is produced almost entirely in the

coastal areas of Kmagappally Taluk in the Quiion district. The runnage, scorage

and twist of Real Alapat( Star) are 285,14115 and 19 respectively.

13/14

11/12

36

32

3.4.3.1.5 Aratory Yarn:-

The coir yarn known as 'Aaratory'derives its name from the name of the

Arattupuzha village of Karthikappally Taluk. Aratory yam is classified in to different

grades on the basis of the thickness or scorage and fineness of the yarn.

Mahadevikkad special with 18119 score, 416 runnage and 32 twist is the most

superior ofall these grades.

3.4.3.1.6 Beach Yarn:-

It is an inferior variety of hand spun yarn produced from soaked or unsoaked

husks. It is produced mainly on the beach side in the Ambalapuzha and Cherthala

Taluk of the Alleppey district. It is also called 'Kadappuram Coir'. The best variety

of the beach yarn is called 'Super LB'or Kulamanja. The Kulamanja have a

runnage of 261 ,storage 11 and twist per foot of 19.

The yarn derives its name from the place called Vaikom. Vaikom yarn is either

hand-spun or spindle-spun. The yam is loosely spun, uneven, medium twisted and

is of soft texture. The most superior grade of Vaikom yam known as Aroor special

is hand- spun which is produced in and around the Aroor village. The runnage,

scorage and twist of Aroor special are 413,15116 and 20 respectively.

3.4.3.1.8 Parur Yarn:-

The Parur Yam is produced mostly in and around P a m area. It is thickvariety of

hard twisted yarn of light golden colour. There are different grades of this yam

such as Parur special, Pamr superior, Parur thin etc.

3.4.3.1.9 Quilandy Yarn:

It is thick variety of hand-spun yarn produced in the Kozhikode district.

3.4.3.1.10 Beypore Yarn::

The BeyporeYarn derives its name from the name of Beypore, a coastal village in

Kozhikode. It is thick variety ofhand-spun yam produced in different villages in

Kozhikode district.

3.4.3.2 Production of Coir Yarn:-

About 35% of the total production of yarn is hand spun. The rest, 65% of the

yarn is spun on ratlt and it has been estimated that there are about 24,767 ratt 49

spinning units in Kerala distributed among 259 villages during 1978. In 1981 it

was about 87,724. The survey conducted by Directorate of Economics and

Statistics in Kerala in 1984-85 estimated the number of hand spinning and spindIe

spinning units are 73201 and 19414 respectively.(Total92615). On the whole

70% of the ran spinning establishments were predominantly self -employed units

owning only one ratt. But at the same time, there were about 300 relatively large

capitalist enterprises employing six or more ratts. Around 45% ofthe spinners

were self employed workers. The estimated production of coir yam in India from

1969-70 to 2000.-2001 is given below.

49 Coir Board (1978) : Survey R.eport On Coir Industry, Coir House, Kochi, P.49

Table 3.24

Production of Coir Yarn 1969-70 to 2000-2001

Year Coir Yam (Quantity In tomes)

Source: ( I ) Coir Board, Annual Report of Various Year. (2) Coir Board, 'Coir3- Half Yearly lournal, Op.cit., P.15.

67

The table 3.24 indicates that the production of Coir Yarn decline from 1,38,000

M.T in 1969-70 to 1,01,890 in 1985-86 and then continuously increased and

attained an amount 2,33,400 M.T in 2000-2001.

3.4.3.2.1 The Production of'Coir Yarn in Kerala:-

The total production of coir yarn in Kerala during 1995-96 was 1,61,65 1 tonnes

valued at Rs. 24961 ~ a k h s . ' ~ The variety wise quantity of coir yarn produced

and the value of each variety are presented in the following table. The table

reveals that the t11re:e prominent varieties of coir yam such as Mangadan (21.8

%), Kadapuram ( 20.6 % ), and Anjengo (14.3 %)together constitute about

57% of the total cow yarn produced in Kerala.

Table 3.25

Variety- wise Estimated Production of Coir Yam 1995-96

Percentage

14.29 21.80 0.52 0.60 7.65

11.75 20.55 7.84 1.26 0.11 2.14 1.05 0.58 6.39 0.99

S1 No

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Valuein Rs. lakhs

4619.80 4581.33

151.55 135.80

1607.58 3042.07 4816.75 2027.60 366.66

23.14 484.26 254.55 140.70

1859.22 248.60 601.35

24960.96

Source: Kerala Statistical Institute (1997) : Op.cit., P.43. - 'O Kerala Statistical Institute (1997): "Survey of Coir Industry in Kerala'"I'hiruvananthapurarn, P. 16.

Variety -

Anjengo Mangadan Venor Alappat Aratory Vaikom Kadapuram Parur Yarn Parur Special Parur Vannarn Beypore Triur Kulakayar Muppiri Rope Quilandy - Total

Quantity in tonnes

23099 35241

842 970

12366 18994 33219 12673 2037

178 3459 1697 938

10329 1600 4009

161651

The sector wise production of coir Yarn is shown in the following table. It shows

that the household and cooperative sectors account for more than 75% of the

production of coir yarn in Kerala.

Table 3.26

Sector-wise Production of Coir Yarn in Kerala

Sector

- Household Sector

Cooperative Sector

Factory Sector

Private Yarn Producers

Production (Tomes )

948 1 1

32760

5047 29033

Source: Kerala Statistical Institute (1'397): Op.cit., P. 17.

Production as Percentage

of total

58.65

20.27

3.12 17.96

1 Total

3.4.:3.3 Employment Position:-

The spinning sector ;accounts for 91% of the coir workers in Kerala. It is estimated

that over 3.5 lakhs of people are engaged in the spinning sector of the Coir S I

Industry. According to the estimate of Kerala Statistical Institute,

Thiruvananthapurml( 1977) there are about 2,86,613 coir workers in the spinning

sector. A more detailed estimate of employment in the Yarn Sector is given in the

table 3.27.

- 161651

" Sankaranarayanan, K.C and Karunakaran ,V (1 985) : Op; cit., P. 194.

100.00

Table 3.27

3.4.4. Manufacturing ofCoir Products:-

District- wise Distribution of Coir Workers in Spinning Sector

3.4.4.1. Mats And Mattings:-

Weaving of coir floor products is the final stage of the process in the traditional

Coir Industry. It is the process of transforming the out put of the spinning sector

in to finished prc~ducts like coir mattings, mats, mattresses, rugs, carpets etc.

India is the most important manufacturer and distributor of coir products in the

world market. Almost 98% of the total production of mats in India is accounted

for by Kerala State. In Kerala this Industry is concentrated in the coastal taluks

of Ambalapuzha, Cherthala and Alappuzha of the Alappuzha district and Vaikom

Taluk of Kottayam District. However small quantities are manufactured in the 52

other districts of the state also.

Name ofthe District

- Trivdrum Quilon MTPY Kottayam Einaldam Trichw Malapuram Kozhikode Cannanore Kasargode State Total

I' Coir Board (1969): "Commodity Note On Coir Mats", Cochin, P.5.

Source:For 1981-Department of Economics and Statistics (1981) : Op.cit., P.21. For 1988-Department of Economics and Statistics (1988) : Op.cit., PP. 10.26.28.

1981

16358 22563

101063 14024 12398 4910 6559

23868 3345 -

205088

1988 Total

20827 2998 1

134364 13969 15918 35619 10869 35045

1656 447

268695

Male

1895 855

2488 4696 2517 1176 597 903 200

67 15394

Female

18932 29126

131876 9273

13401 444

10272 34142

1452 380

253301

Coir mats are manufactured and supplied in various sizes for use such as door

matts. The most popular and widely used coir mats are Coir Rod Mats (Brush

Mats), Fibre Mats, Creel Mats, Bit Mats, Simet or chain Mats, Corridor Mats, 53

Lovers Knot Mats, Cord, Cable, or Ribbed Mats etc.

The coir yarn when woven into fabrics takes various forms, namely, mattings,

rugs, mourzouks and carpets according to the type of the material used, the 54

pattern of weaving, texture, thickness etc. A wide range of designs can be

produced in coir mattings by dobby and jacquard shedding handloom. Coir

mattings are marketed in rolls of 50 Yd. length and different width.

Coir matting cut to specified lengths, and suitably finished are marked as "Coir

rugs". Coir rugs can be had in plain natural colour of the fibre, or in different

shades in woven pattern or printed designs. Coir mourzouks are woven on special 5s

cross weaving lootn. Coir Carpets are commonly known as 'Alleppey Carpets'.

3.4.4.2. Production of Mats And Mattings:-

The present annual output of coir mats in India is estimated at 20,000 tonnes.

According to a survey conducted by the Coir Board, the industry had an installed

capacity for producing about 35,000 tonnes of coir mats. However, only about

1 6 57% of the installed capacity is utilised in the industry. The present annual

57 production of mattings, rugs and carpet in India is estimated at 5000 tomes.

Production of both mats and mattings are against specific order. The trends in the

production of coir products shows that even if it fluctuates during 1970's and

80's there is a big spurt in the production of coir products from 1994-95 onwards.

- 'I Ibid. P.3. " Coir Board (1 969): "Commodit:y Note On Coir Mattings, Rugs, Mourwuks and Carpets", Cochin, P.l s' Ibid. P.3. " lbid; p.5 " Ibid, P. 13

Table 3.28

Production of Coir Products (Mats, Mattings etc.)

Year Coir Products

(Quantity in tomes)

Source: Coir Board, Annual Repoi-ts o f Various Years.

The total quantity of coir products manufactured in Kerala in 1995-96 was 74920

tonnes valued at Rs. 25408 lakhs. Following table gives the quantity and value of

various items of corr products manufactured in Kerala during 1995-96.

Production of Coir Products in Kerala During 1995-96.

I Total 1 74920 1 25408.22 1

-

Coir Mats

Coir Mattings, and Rugs

Carpets.

Source: Kerala Statistical lnstitute (1997): op.cit, P.46

3.4.4.3 Employment Position:-

Quantity (~OMS)

43796

30643

48 1

According to the Coir Board estimates 15,000 people engage in the process of

manufacture of coir mats and about 4,700 people in the manufacturing of mattings, 58

rugs, and carpets. According to the estimates of Department of Economics

and Statistics (1 988), 3 1,769 people engaged in the manufacturing sector. District-

wise distribution of workers in manufacturing of Coir and Coir Products in 198 1

and 1988 is given in the following table.

Value (Rs. lakhs)

14610.00

10549.22

249.00

'' Coir Board, Op.cit., PP.13, 19.

Table 3.30

District wise Distribution of Coir workers in Manufacturing of Coir and Coir products

Source: (1) For 1981. Department. ofEconomics And Statistics (1981): Op.cit., P.21

(2) For 1988. Department of Economics And Statistics (1988): Op.cit., PP. 10,27,29.

District

-- Tnvandrum Quilon A l l e ~ ~ e ~ Kottayam Ema!alam Trichw Malapuram Kozhikode Cannanore Kasargode

State Total

1981

Weaving

67 72

10826 65 68 4

11 115

11 -

11239

Work related to manufacturing of coir products

Male

262 323

15231 150 267

45 82

105 3 1

16469

1988

Finishing and packing of coir products

Male

23 46

869 4

19 3 4 5 4 1

978

Fenlalt-

151 156

3635 24 29 14 14 74

1 3

4121

Total

413 479

18866 174 316

59 96

179 4 4

20590

Female

11 17

159 1 1 1 1 8 - -

201

Total

34 63

1029 5 5 4 5

13 4 1

1179

Apart from the above products, coir rope, curled coir, and some non- traditional

items such as rubberised coir, coir pith, coir geo-textiles etc. are also produced

in the manufacturing sector. There is an increasing trend in the production of coir

rope, curled coir,and rubberised coir. The production of coir rope increases from

20,000 tonnes in 1970-71 to 5 1,300 in 2000-2001 .The production of curled

coir increases from 1500 tonnes in 1970-71 to 3 1,000 tonnes in 2000-2001.

Similarly the production of Rubberised Coir increases from a mere 600 tonnes to

5 1,000 tonnes in 2000-2001.

Table 3.31

Production of C'oir Rope, Curled Coir, And Rubberised Coir

During 1970-71-2000-2001. (Quantity in Tonnes)

Year

1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01

Source: Coir Board, Annual Kepors of Various Years

3.5 Export Performance of Coir Industry-

Coir has traditionally been an export oriented commodity in the producing

countries, and even now the foreign markets remain the main stay for coir and

coir goods. India and Sri Lanka are the major producers and exporters of coir

and coir goods. Export of coir from Sri Lanka is confined mainly to Bristle and

Mattress Varieties Fibre. Apart from coir fibre, Sri Lanka also exports small

quantities of machlrie spun yam to some of the selected market in the globe. India

has a virtual monopoly in the supply of spun yam and manufactured products to

the world market.

The following table (table 3.32) shows the overall trends in the world trade of

coir and coir products between 1960 and 1966. The total trade volume in coir

fluctuated around 1 ti5 thousand tomes till the mid 1970's.After a sharp decline in

1974, it only recovered partially in the second half of the decades. From 1979

onwards, the total trade volume in coir products once again dropped to a level of

around 1 15 thousand The table also reveals that the trade in coir products

is dominated by the trade in coir fibre, especially brown fibre. It also shows that

the total world denland for the mats and mattings has become slightly more

important in relative terms, over the years.

59 IsaacThomas, T.M (1991): et.al., Op.cit., P.52.

Table 3.32

World Trade of Coir Fibre, Yarn and Mats and Mattings

Source: F.A.0, Annual Coir Statistics, Rome.

Year

1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Coir Yam

50.9 55.4 58.1 56.1 52.4 51.8 48.6 40.4 41.9 45.7 45.3 37.7 35.1 31.9 31.0 23.9 28.3 26.3 25.3 26.3 21.6 18.4 21.3 18.6 17.8 17.9 16.6 19.1 16.7 18.7 18.0 - - -

-

-

Coir Fibre

- 97.2 80.0 78.9 92.5

105.0 103.7 84.6 90.3 98.6 97.2 86.1

100.7 97.8

112.4 117.0 795 91.4 94.8 89.7 97.0 93.2 '75.8 82.8 '75.9 76.6 '76.3 81.0 80.1 73.0 76.4 75.7

--

--

-

(in

Matshlattings

17.2 16.6 18.6

18.3 19.1 19.7 17.8 16.8 18.1 19.3 21.4 18.6 18.2 21.4 24.2 22.5 26.6 28.9 29.7 31.0 28.9 26.3 22.2 20.3 22.7 21.1 21.5 21.1 20.4 20.2 21.0 A

- -

-

-

thousand tonnes)

Total

165.3 152.0 155.6 166.9 176.5 174.2 151.0 147.5 158.6 162.2 152.8 157.0 151.1 165.7 172.2 125.9 146.3 150.0 145.3 154.3 143.7 120.5 126.3 114.8 115.3 115.3 119.1 120.3 110.1 115.3 114.7 97.5

112.3 112.6 102.6 103.4

It is estimated that the total global trade in coir is around 1,20,000 Metric Tonnes

by product weight (Coir Fibre 67%, Coir Yam 15% and Coir Product 1 8%).60

World exports of coir and coir products from 1993-1997 and also actual and

projected world export of coir and coir products is given below.

Table 3.33

World Exports of Coir and Coir Products, 1993-1997.

(Quantity in Metric Tonnes)

Source: F.A.0 Statistics, Rome, December 1998.

" Coir Board (July 20, 1999): "Coir News, Coir House. Cochin, vol.xxviii, No.7, P.20.

Country

APCC Countries

India Coir Yam Coir Mattings Coir Mats

Coir rope

Rugs and Carpet Rubberisid Coir Others

Indonesia

Malaysia Philippines

Srl Lanka

Mattress Fibre British Fibre

Coir Yam Twisted Fibre Coir Twine

Thailand

Other Countries Total

1993

97,128

34,516

12,161 4,792

15,709

31 1 1,352

102

89 166

524

204 53,690

22,63.3 6,658

1,315 21,758

1,426

8,028

300

97,428

1997

103,117 46,223

14,238

7,392 21,450

87 1,895

227

934 595

225

101

5 1,973 26,072

5,696

945 18,086

1,174

4000

300 103,417

1994

11 1,968

42,738

16,276 6,725

17,161

119 2,108

174 175

215

259

273

60,764 26,63 1

7,278

1,420 21,938

3,497

7,519

300 1 12,268

1995

112,329

48,383 16,132

8,145

20,375

73

3,125 218

315 672

138

917

57,692 29,482

6,835 802

19,347

1,496

4,257 300

1 12,6229

1996

102,283 44,660

13,631

7,136 20,962

108 2,190

209 424

866

110 927

52,402 24,384

5,514

849 18,635

3,019

3,318 300

102,583

'Table 3.34

3.5.1 Export of Coir And Coir Products from India:-

World Exports of Coir Fibre And Products (in thousand tonnes)

The Coir Industry in [ndia is also highly export oriented. India accounts for over

50% of the world trade in colr.61 About 25 to 30% of the product is exported to

foreign countries. Therefore any programme aimed at the development of the

industry will have to incorporate measures for strengthening the base of the export

sector also. The export trade is dominated by merchant and manufacture exporters

in private sector who control about 98% of total export. A few Public Sector

Units and Cooperatives are also engaged in export trade. There are 147 registered

exporters as on 3 1-3-1999, Apart from granting permanent registration, there 62

are 2 10 exporters who possess permission for export on a case to case basis.

India export coir and coir goods to 66 countries all over the world. India is a

leading producer and exporter of coir yam, coir mats, mattings and rugs to world

market.

61 Pylee, M.V, Op.cit., P . l l 62 Coir Board (1998-99): Forty Fiftli Annual Report, Coir House, Kochi, P.34

Projected 2005

55

76

131

Brown Fibre

Yarn and Products

Total

Source : F.A.0 Statist~cs, (Dec.1998): Rome.

Actual 1996

67

5 8

125

1984

80

44

124

1994

67

58

125

3.5.2 Trends in the Export of Coir from India :-

There is no evidence regarding the export of coir in large scale from India during

the 18"' century. But in the beginning of the 19t" century, there was a global

increase in the production and export of natural fibre, and the same reflected in !h

Kerala's export of coir also. Accordingly, in the beginning of the 19 century, the

export of coir from Kerala was about 40,000 tonnes. Except for some recessions

the export of coir steadily increased. During 1920's there was a spectacular

increase in the export of coir and it exceeded 80,000 tonnes. The following table lh

shows the trend in exports of coir from the beginning of the 19 century to 1947.

'Table 3.35

Trends in the Export of Coir from India in the Pre - Independence Period

Source: Kumar Ajith, P (1994): Coir in the World Market, Seminar Paper presented at All India coir Board Employees Union, Kochi, PP. 3,4.

Year

1890-1 900 1900-0 1 1901-02 1902-03 19O:l-04 1904-05 1905-06 1906-07 1907-08 1908-09 1909- I0 1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 1920-2 1 192 1-:!2 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-:!6 1926-:!7 1927-;!8 1928-29 1929-30 1930-!;I 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-46 1946-47

'lotal quantlty (In tonnes)

41,200 41,518 39,204 39,823 47,758 46,934 49,306 49,356 45,243 46,610 55,092 54,834 63,266 62,265 61,127 47,402 49.71 1 49,834 27,707 41,999 60,040 51,220 70.551 68,907 68,907 76,772 72,241 76,991 86,362 83,486 82,143 71,518 72,085 70,614 77,769 80,791 77,185 82,281 75,614 81.865 81,902 43,221 55,408 38,572 50,875 53,935 65,263 80,626

82

The trends in the export of coir after independence shows that after a peak level

of 82718 tonnes in 1956-57. export declined a level of 23,214 tonnes in

1985-86. But the export of coir and coir products regained a recovery after

1989-90.Then there is a continuous increase in the exports of coir from India.

The value of export has, however, been steadily increasing from Rs. 5.28 crores

in 1947-48 to Rs. 3 14 crores in 2000-2001 because of inflation.

Table 3.36

Trends in the Export of Coir From India After Independence

Year Total Quantity ( In tonnes )

Value (In Rs.Lakhs)

Value (In Rs.Lakhs)

1,753.62 1,935.25 2,277.84 2,391.84 2,579.81 3,721.01 2,544.66 2,693.75 2,616.91 2,434.21 2,640.83 3,284.66 3,144.46 3,219.78 3,33 1.53 4,017.77 4,832.85 7,4 1 1.63 9,595.32

12,936.75 17,164.02 20,684.64 21,258.26 23,892.92 29,218.88 30,305.35 3 1,366.25

Year

1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-9 1 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-0 1

3.5.3 Structure of Coir Exports from India:-

Total Quantity ( In tonnes )

41,834 37,284 44,357 42,443 43,066 47,225 28,610 30,079 30,134 27,949 25,788 24,672 23,214 25,146 24,979 24,458 27,926 30,999 32,354 37,951 48,086 48,276 46,369 49,850 55,490 61,031 67,493

Coir exported from India in the form of coir fibre, coir yarn and coir products

Source : 1 ) Coir Board, Annual Reports of Various Years.

such as coir mats, mattings, rugs, carpets, coir ropes, curled coir, rubberised coir

and some non- traditional items such as coir pith, coir geo- textiles etc.

3.5.3.1 Coir Fibre:-

World demand for coir fibre mostly bristle- twisted and mattress fibre is met by

Sri Lanka, as she is the main producer and supplier of coir fibre to the world

market. Export of coir fibre fiom India is negligible as compared to the size of

world market for coir fibre . The quantity of coir fibre exported from India has

shown a steady decline from 1007 tonnes in 1950-5 1 to 9 tonnes in 1993-94,

but then it gradually pick up and in 2000-2001 it becomes 1054 tonnes. (See

table 3. 37)

Table 3.37

Trends In The Export of Coir Fibre from India, 1947 to 2001

Year I Total Quantity (In tonnes)

Value (In Rs.Lakhs)

2.36 2.93 2.63 5.13 7.54 6.76 5.49 4.25 5.64 5.61 7.69 7.62 8.14

11.97 18.55 13.01 11.08 17.34 14.80 18.12 20.17 18.12 5.23 7.50 6.25 4.62 3.77 3.08 6.94 2.88 1.48

Source: Coir Board, Annual Reportr of Various Years.

3.5.3.2. Coir Yarn:-

Coir Yam, the semi-finished raw material, is the major item of coir exported

from India. India has the virtual monopoly for coir yam in the world and accounts

for over 98% of the world trade in coir yarn. Coir Yarn once accounts for over

70% in quantity of our total exports of coir gradually decline and now it becomes

only 31%. However the export of coir yarn have shown a rising trends from

37496 in 1947-48 to 63457 in 1956-57 and there after there is a steady decline

in the export of coir yarn and reach an amount of 11,443 tonnes in 1992-93.

Once again the export of coir yam gradually pickup and in 1998-99 it becomes

16,539 tonnes and in 2000-2001 it becomes 14607 tonnes (SeeTable 3.38).

Year

1978-79 1979-80 1980-8 1 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-9 1 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00

2000-01

Total Quantity ( In tonnes 1)

35 37

164 1 1 5 ' 7 5 1 2 7

49 4 1 5

12 9

770 303 337 243 647 810

1054

Value (In Rs.Lakhs)

1.17 1.20 5.72 0.06 0.07 0.24 0.44 2.87 0.09 0.17 0.74 3.70 3.17 1.14 4.59 1 .80

76.89 27.09 49.59 27.93 91.46

117.16 148.17

Table 3.38

Trends in the Export of Coir Yarn from India, 1947 to 2001.

Value (In Rs.Lakhs)

322.55 298.3 1 350.28 722.84 658.92 455.03 493.28 521.27 580.53 670.50 514.50 495.49 538.08 533.76 776.61 838.70 779.65 730.90 696.19 835.47 785.71 889.61 819.12 766.36 722.42 818.58 822.01 826.71

1002.19 1052.32 910.89

1012.75 1515.47 873.06

1048.16 1207.09 1080.77 984.42

1519.62 1207.73 1286.56

Year

1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-6 1 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-7 1 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-8 1 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88

Total Quantity ( In tonnes )

34,496 34,755 46,381 56,060 45,269 48,446 55,625 54,421 55,223 63,457 5 1,877 5 1,899 53,963 49,500 59,162 57,654 55,639 53,837 53,377 45,096 39,276 42,528 37,738 33,440 30,642 3 1,924 29,373 24,40 1 22,970 26,567 22,639 22,536 25,873 13,486 15,837 15,011 16,030 12,775 13,398 12,105 14,078

Source: Coir Board, Annual Reports of Various Years

87

3.5.3.3 Exports of Mats, Mattings And Other Coir Products:-

Among the manufactured products, most important item of exports are coir mats

and mattings. The exports of coir mattings declined from the early 1950 onwards,

though this was to some extend compensated by the rise in export of mats. The

decline in mat exports started only in the 1970's. From 1974-75 onwards, there

was resurgence in the export ofmattings, but the declining trend once again resumed

after 1980-8 1. But the exports of mats and mattings once again showed a rising

trend after 1989-90.(see table 3.39) Now it is one of the major items of export

from India and have a considerable importance in the export earnings. The

percentage share ofcoir mats out of total exports in quantity terms is about 39%

and that of mattings is aboutl6%.

Value (In Rs.Lakhs)

1123.50 1369.68 1705.85 2328.23 1966.18 2637.00 3488.00 3434.48 3263.18 4123.65 4827.41 3738.39 4187.50

Year

1988-89 1989-90 1990-9 1 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-0 1

Total Quantity ( In tonnes )

12,598 13,771 14,110 15,266 1 1,443 13,648 16,810 14,839 13,645 15,889 16,539 13,053 14,607

Table-3.39

Trends in the Export of Mats And Mattings From India, 1947 to 2001

Year

1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-5 1 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-6 1 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-8 1 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86

Coir yuantlty

(In tones)

3236 2821 2704 2922 2918 5550 7101 3648 3457 5049 5276 7020 8044 6,822 7,942 7,045 5,426 4,360 5,025 5,172 3,299

Mattings value

(In Rs. Lakhs)

175.62 215.23 390.1 1 521.88 545.65 828.00 805.12 654.17 543.93 601.55 700.3 1 558.62

Coir Quant~ty

(In tones)

9702 7940

19553 20225 11510 12458 13545 14539 14010 13829 13878 14847 15662 15563 14539

19,357 18,399 18,474 15,239 14,985 13,792 13,927 13,480 12,258 13,498 12,742 12,302 1 1,322 7,488 9,582

10,748 10,954 11,715 7,403 8,143 7,302 6,757 7,756 7,433

Mats Value

(In Rs. Lakhs)

-

-

- - -

-

-

- -

-

- -

-

-

- - -

- 3 15.57 438.47 420.38 434.41 432.63 41 1.57 507.50 526.60 573.28 646.53 562.48 735.18 829.13 904.78

1191.26 823.30 920.30 821.37 734.70 945.28

1 1 18.20

attings value

(In Rs. Lakhs)

Note: Figures from 1947-48 to 1964-65 shows total quantity o f coir mats and mattings together. Source: Coir Board, Annual Reports of Various Years.

Coir yuantlty

(In tones)

2,892 3,217 2,974 3,580 3,362 3,645 4577 5263 6939 7591 6578 7107 657 1 6770 6734

- Year

- 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-9 1 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-0 1

Other coir products exported from Indiaare coir rugs, curled coir, and rubberised

coir. Their trends in export from 1980-81to 2000-2001 are given in the table

3.40

Coir Mats Vuant~ty

(In tones)

7,924 6,542 7,612 8,273 7,009

11,163 13,786 15,945 18,049 20,338 21,091 2 1,039 2 1,943 26,903 29,159

Value (In Rs. Lakhs)

1354.70 11 10.03 1325.81 1571.68 2021.86 3569.35 5082.37 6881.96 8048.38

10131.77 11396.68 12467.03 14878.52 17181.60 18464.58

Table 3.40

Trends in the Export of Coir Rugs, Curled Coir And Rubberised Coir from India 1980-2001

Year

-

Coir Rugs & Carpets I Quantity Value

In tonnes In Rs. lakhs I Curled Coir I Rubberised Coir I

Quantity In tonnes

Value Quantity Value In Rs. lakhs

0.18 - - -

- 1.60 1.21 0.41 4.13

18.122 10.06 40.00 71.54 98.99

110.93 113.40 152.32 234.12 427.01 387.52 267.24

Source: Coir Board, Annual Reports of Various Years

Apart from these traditional items of exports, some non- traditional coir products

such as coir geo-textiles and coir pith are also exported from India recently. There

is an increasing trend in the export of these items. The export of coir pith increases

from 48 tonnes in 1992-93 to 9927 tonrles in 2000-2001. Similarly, export of

coir geo- textiles increases from 442 tonnes in 1994-95 to 1402 tonnes in

2000-2001. (See table: 3.41:)

Table 3.41

Trends in the Export of Coir Pith and Coir Geo- Textile From India 1992-93 to 2000-2001.

Year

- Coir pith

Quantity (in tomes) (on Rs. lakhs)

Coir Geo-textiles

Quantity (in tomes) (on Rs. lakhs) Y

Source: Coir Board ,Annual Reports of Various Years

The table shows that the increase in the export of coir pith in 1998-99 was 194%

in terms of quantity and 186% in terms of value over the previous year 1997-98.

Similarly for coir Cieo-textile there is a 63% increase in export in terms of quantity

and 75% in terms of value over the export of 1997-98.

3.5.3.4 Composition of Coir Exports:-

Coir Yam constitute bulk of lndia's export of coir until recently. For eg:- during

1988-89,50% of the total volume of exports ofcoir was accounted for by coir

yarn. Coir mats is the next major item of export of coir from India with a share of

30% during 1988-89. The share of coir mattings was at 12% during the same

period. Since then the composition of export has changed. Coir mats are the major

items of coir exported now. In 1998-99, the percentage share of the total volume

of exports of coir mats becomes 39%. Coir Yam and coir mattings are the second

and third major items respectively. The latest data (April- 2000) shows that coir

mats constitute 61 %, Yam 15%, and mattings 9% respectively of the total volume

of export from India. The table given below illustrates these points in detail.

Table 3.42

Composition of'Exports In India fi-om 1968 to April 2000

Year Coir Fibre Coir Yarn Mats r i r rna t t i n ' l Others Total Rugs and carpets

1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98

March 99 Apr. 2000

Note :- Figures in the table are percentage share. Source: 1) Coir Board, Annual Reports Various Years

2) India's Production, Exports and lnternal Consumption of Coir, Various issue. 3) Coir Board, Coir News, 0p.cit.

1.65 0.59 0.84 0.75 0.06 0.59 0.38 0.71 0.30 0.13 0.09 0.08 0.57 -

-

0.02 0.2

~p~

- ~p

~p

p~

-

-~

68.90 68 .OO 64.05 58.58 64.5 1 62.82 58.33 61.61 59.89 53.34 54.66 54.79 47.14 52.65 51.00 57.35 49.54 54.3 54.3

55.98 50.43 50.00 5 1 .OO 50.00 35.00 36.00 35.00 3 1 .OO 29.00 32.00 3 1 .OO 15.00

22.59 24.3

23.47 25.8

25.75 26.3 1 27.06 20.09 21.6

25.32 25.44 24.81 25.88 27.07 26.02 24.18 30.08 30.13 30.12 26.0 1 30.47 30.00 32.00 31.00 43.00 42.00 43.00 42.00 43.00 40.00 39.00 61.00

5.59 5.91

11.13 14.33 7.58 7.69 12.4

14.87 16.25 19.35 18.86 19.81 25.89 20.19 22.18 18.45 20.36 15.53 15.25 17.7

18.77 1625

16 15 18 18 18 16 17 20 16 10

5.00 1 ..23

2.2 0.51 129 1.56 2.68 1.83 2.72 1.96 1.86 0.95 0.51 0.52 0.92 0.8

0.12 0.12 0.04 0.33 0.31 0.33 3.75 1.00 4.00 4.00 4.00

11 .OO 11.00 8.00

14.00 14.00

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

3.5.3.5 Directionality Pattern of Coir Exports from India:-

India exports Coir to over 1 !I0 countries in the world. Up to 1980's the bulk of

coir exports, ie.,about 75% of the coir exported is purchased by Europe. In

Europe, a large percentage of our export (over 60%) goes to the Western European

Countries, such as Netherlands, France, Italy, U.K and West Germany. Next to

Europe, America is the largest buyer of Indian coir followed by East Europe,

East Asia, and West Asia.

The directionality pattern of coir exports from India is now changed. Now coir

was exported to 66 countries all over the world. Now USA becomes the largest

importer of coir from India followed by U.K, and the countries in West Europe

namely Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, Spain, Belgium and

Sweden continued to be the major markets for coir and coir products.

3.6 Internal Consumption of Coir in India:-

A strong and growing internal markel is necessary for stimulating further

development of the Coir Industry. Although coir is traditionally a highly export

oriented industry, there is a large and growing demand for coir and coir products

in the internal market. Thus, India is not only the largest producer, but also, the

main consumer of coir in the world. The Indian market constitutes around 45% of

63 the world market for coir and coir products. Over 65% of the coir produced in

India is consumed internally. With the fall in exports since 1970's, developing the

domestic market was assumed tremendous importance and as such Kerala's Coir

Industry become increasingly dependent on the home market. Accordingly the

decline in the export was balanced by an increase in the internal demand for coir.

Isaac Thomas, T.M, et.al. Op.cit., P.68.

Coir Yam is the main item of coir product consumed within the country. Coir rope

is the next important item of consumer preference in the internal market. Coir

door mats, mattings, both hand loom and power loom, rubberized coir products

are consumed in large quantity. Large quantity of coir fibre especially brown fibre

has been used for manufacture of rubberised coir upholstery, fellings , Janatha

Mattress etc. Coir and coir products are marketed in India through private channels,

showrooms of the Board and Sales Depots of the apex co-operative societies in

Kerala (Coirfed), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa. A few co-operative

societies and rubberised coir inanufacturing units have set up their sales outlets.

As on 3 1-3-99 there were 34 show rooms of Coir Board spread all over the

India. The internal consumption of coir yarn and coir products was showing an

encouraging trends in the recent past and as such internal consumption of coir

was steadily increasing. The trends in the internal consumption of coir and coir

products is given in the following table:-

Table 3.43

Consumption of Coir And Coir Products Within India 1971-72 to 2000-2001 (Qty. Product weight in tonnes)

Coir Fibre I I Coir Yam l a i r ~ r o d u c l ~ o i r rapel

Source: 1) Coir Board, Various Annual Reports. 2) Coir Board, India's Production, Export and Internal Consumption of Coir of

Various Issues.

Curled Coi

59 100 100 900 986

1632 1700 1820 2260 2350 2475 5850 5900 1280 2000 2500

500 -

2880 2600 2470 1500 290

1040 1220 1460 1500 1720 1900

Rubberisel Coir

1100 1200 1300 800

1000 1000 490 580

150 1500 1500 3200 3200 3200 4990 5000 3600

13490 1500 11090 12800 13330 28440 31350 32800 34100 40920 41500

45,600 48,500

Total

98287 103130 102100 89760 102917 100144 101190 117930 114350 121515 128410 145220 114380 121315 155240 139600 148630 154400 145210 184340 182530 178250 184310 196500 200620 228950 239100 260,820 27,24,0(

From the table the following trends are observed. The total consumption of Coir

and Coir Products increases from less than one lakh tonnes to more than 2 lakh

tonnes. CoirYam and rubberized coir consumption increased substantially during

this period. The increase in the consumption of other coir products are moderate.

It can be concluded from this chapter that the production of coconut and hence

coir still dominant in India. In India, Kerala leads all other states in this industry.

However, recently, this industry is gradually spreading to other states like Tamil

Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc.