CHENNAI: Pollachi coir exports hit by Rs 100 crore in a week due to West Asia war

Chennai: The ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States has impacted international shipping routes, as Iran has reportedly closed its maritime borders. As a result, shipping services have been halted, preventing the export of coir products from India.
Which regions and ports are affected?
According to a report in Daily Thanthi, a large quantity of coir fiber and coir pith produced in Pollachi and Coimbatore are exported abroad through ports like Chennai Port, Thoothukudi Port, and Cochin Port. Due to the halt in shipping services, export consignments are currently stranded at these ports.
How much has the export loss been and what is the demand?
Industry representatives say that India produces approximately 1.1 million metric tons of coir fiber and 2 million metric tons of coir pith every year, and exports them to approximately 125 countries. Exporters estimate that shipments worth approximately ₹100 crore have been affected in a week and warn that losses could reach ₹1,000 crore if the disruption continues for two months. They have appealed to the central government and the Coir Board of India to explore opportunities in the domestic market and new export destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia.