Introduction
Coir is one of the oldest industries in India. It contributes significantly to the economy of the country’s major coconut-producing states, i.e., Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Assam, Orissa, Andaman & Nicobar, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, etc. India, the major global coconut producer, accounts for more than two-thirds of the world’s coir and coir products production.
Global annual coir production is about 3,50,000 metric tons (MT) of which India along with Sri Lanka accounts for about 90% of the total global coir fiber production.
The coir industry employs about 5.5 lakh (0.55 million) people in the country. Kerala accounts for about 61% of India’s coconut production, and 85% of coir products. The industry is a good source of employment in the country’s rural economy, especially for the women population.
India produces coir fiber, yarn, mats, mattings, rugs, non-woven products, geotextiles, piths, and other coir products. In terms of the exported value, the percentage share of coir pith, coir fibre and tufted mats was 59.63%, 12.06% and 16.73%, respectively, during FY25.
Export Trends
The value of exports of coir and coir manufactured products stood at US$ 455 million in FY25 as compared to US$ 360 million in FY24.
In FY26 (April-July 2025) coir exports stood at US$ 209 million as compared to US$ 129 million in the same period last year showcasing a YoY growth of 62.86%.
In FY25, India exported 13,42,843 MT of coir and coir products worth US$ 434 million to 121 countries.
India exports coir pith, coir fiber, tufted mats, handloom mats, power loom mats, coir yarn, coir geotextiles, handloom matting, power loom matting, rubberized coir, rugs, etc.
Export Destinations
India exports coir and coir products to 121 countries around the globe. The USA, China, Netherlands, South Korea, UK, Spain, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, UAE and Peru are some of the top importers of coir from India. In FY26 (April-July 2025), China is the largest importer of coir and coir products from India, accounting for 23% of the total value exported from India. USA is the second largest importer, accounting for 17% of the value during the same period.
In FY25, China accounted for 37% of the total quantity and 22.1% of the total value of the coir and coir products exports. While USA accounted for 12.45% of the total quantity and 24.46 of the total value of exports.
Government Initiatives
For developing the coir industry in India, the Coir Board has launched schemes such as the Coir Vikas Yojana (Coir Development Scheme), Coir Industry Technology Upgradation Scheme, Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana. The Export Market Promotion Scheme and Domestic Market Promotion Scheme focuses on improving exports and domestic sales of coir and coir products.
Coir Industry Technology Upgradation Scheme (CITUS)
The main objective of CITUS is to assist entrepreneurs in the upgradation and procurement of eligible plants and machinery. This way, the Coir Board aims to improve the productivity and quantity of coir products. Some of the other objectives of this scheme are to establish state-of-the-art processing units, enhance the utilization of raw materials, create employment opportunities, and attract newer entrepreneurs in the coir industry.
A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)
The ASPIRE scheme aims to establish a network of technology centres and startup incubation centres in the rural parts of India. For the development and promotion of the coir industry, the Ministry of MSME and the Coir Board established the Livelihood Business Incubation (LBI) models for the coir industry.
Scheme of Fund for Rejuvenation of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)
Launched in 2005 by the Ministry of MSME, the SFURTI scheme aims to make the traditional industries in India more competitive, market-driven, productive, profitable, and capable of generating employment, especially in the rural parts of India.
Governing Body
Coir Board of India
The Coir Board of India was established in 1953 for the promotion and development of the coir industry. The main functions of the board are to promote the development of the coir industry, promote of export of coir yarn and products, undertake, and encourage scientific, technological and economic research, collect and maintain statistics, improve the marketing of related products and advise the Government of India in growth-related matters. The headquarters of the coir board is in Kerala and runs 48 establishments including 29 marketing outlets across the country.
RELATED SITES
"Coir House", M.G. Road,
Kochi 682 016
Kerala
India
Tel.:+91-484-2351807
Fax: +91-484-2370034
Email: coirboard@nic.in
Website:
