“Venice of the East” is hosting the world’s biggest trade fair on coir and natural fibres in Alappuza, Kerala, attended by 200 potential buyers from 53 countries. Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut and used as floor mats, doormats, brushes, ropes and fishing nets.
Kerala, known for its unique network of natural canals with small boats, which encourage both fishing, and backwater transport, are they looking to increase their Coir export by 40% in 2016-17. Total world coir production is 250,000 tonnes and the coastal region of Kerala produces 60% of the total world supply of white coir fibres and with Sri Lanka it comprises 36% of the total white fibre output.
Coir exports were worth around £1,476.5m in 2013-14, up from £1,116m in 2012-13, £1,052m in 2011-12. Kerala is looking to increase the export of coir products to £2,500m by 2016-17.
The Coir Kerala 2015 fair, with over 250 stalls, has attracted buyers from America, Russia, Latin American and African nations who have all sent a large number of delegations.
Coir Kerala 2015 has also introduced modern coir products and machineries designed by the National Coir Research and Management Institute (NCRMI) to improve productivity in the sector.