Coconut fibre joins band of steady exports

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The coconut fibre industry, one of the oldest cottage industries has joined the band of exporters, bringing in the much needed foreign exchange.

Randolph Perera

The industry provides a plenty of employment opportunities and at the same time supports the growth of the rural economy.

Mattresses, cushions and ornaments are some the main products manufactured out of fibre.

Chairman, Canro Fibre Exports (Pvt) Ltd., Randolph Perera said the demand for coconut fibre in the domestic market has declined due to widespread use of sponge as a viable alternative for the manufacture of mattresses.

“Millers are exploring the foreign markets as there is a strong demand for coconut fibre globally.

Canro exports around 90 percent of the fibre to China and the balance to the United States and Europe”, he said.

The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) said the demand from China for coconut fibre and the products, has increased.

Export earnings from mattresses, bristles and twisted fibres recorded a 75 percent growth during the period under review as against 2008. In addition to China, South Korea, Germany, Japan and Poland also import large quantities of fibre.

CDA said export earnings from coconut products amounted to Rs. 13,637mln during the first half of this year, a 35 percent increase against the corresponding figure of Rs. 10,158 million in 2008.

The export turnover from coconut products this year is expected to be around Rs. 30 billion.

Coconut fibre has a long lifespan and is environment friendly.Canro was set up in 1981 and today the company has 400 employees and 600 fibre millers.