74 percent increase in coconut milk exports

Fuelled by the increasing trend of European housewives using coconut milk for cooking, coconut milk exports during the first six months of this year increased by 74 percent over that of the corresponding six months of 2005 to reach 3,089 tonnes.

From January to end-June 2006, coconut milk which is shipped mainly in 400 millilitre cans brought in forex of Rs. 311 million ($30.1 million) and from January-June 2005 2,014 tonnes accounted for Rs. 225 million ($22.5 million) according to Coconut Development Authority (CDA) statistics.

Meanwhile, the developed world is increasing the use of natural fibre parts in brushes and brooms, against the use of synthetic segments which are made of petroleum or hydrocarbons in composition.

Thus, during the first six months of 2006 exports of fibre finished products such as coir mats, rugs, brooms, brushes and rubberised coir pads increased significantly to record Rs 4.8 billion (46.7 million).

The figure for the first six months of 2005 is Rs 4.3 billion ($43.4 million) CDA's acting deputy director, V. Balakrishnan said.