At present, all areas of the Indian textile and garment industry are facing negative growth, but the development of the coconut fiber industry is smooth. According to an official of the Coconut Fiber Management Committee, the coconut fiber industry is successfully completing the goals set for the 2008/09 fiscal year.
China is India’s main competitor for textiles and clothing, but India’s coconut fiber exports to China have grown significantly. Rising demand from China is supporting Indian coconut fiber during these difficult and downturn times.
Exports of coconut fiber and products are expected to reach a target of Rs 6 billion this fiscal year. Coconut fiber exports have exceeded 5.72 billion rupees from April to February, and exports in March reached 380-400 million rupees.
In 2009, the amount of coconut fiber products imported into China was almost three times that of the same period in normal years, but imports from other traditional importing countries have not seen growth. The U.S. market share fell from 40% to 31%.
