The export volumes for SME coir exporters for 2009-2010 grew 15 per cent more than the target set by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) ministry. The coir exports touched Rs 804 crore during the last financial year as against the Rs 700 crore mark set for the said fiscal.

The coir export sector has managed to surpass the set target even with the recessionary  pressures  that resulted in sluggish demand and lower sales for most part of 2009-2010.This was stated by Muthoot Balan  proprietor of Balaji Coir products a small sized coir exporting unit in Kollam Kerala.

The coir products in terms of volume grew by 47.31 per cent to 2,94,508.05 as compared to 1,99,924.94 tonne in 2008-09 while the commodity exports clocked 25.46 per cent growth in value terms during the previous fiscal.

The initiatives that are undertaken by the SME coir export units to improve their product quality, expedite delivery mechanism as well as diversify their product mix have contributed towards impressive coir export for 2009-10.

The chairman of the coir board VS Vijayaraghavan said that the country’s coir export figures are likely to go much higher in the years to come as the necessary steps are being taken to incentivise the coir exports.