CHENNAI: The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has affected international shipping routes after Iran reportedly closed its maritime boundaries. As a result, shipping services have been suspended, disrupting exports of coir products from India.
According to a Daily Thanthi report, large quantities of coir fibre and coir pith produced in the Pollachi and Coimbatore regions are exported overseas through ports such as Chennai Port, Thoothukudi Port and Cochin Port. Due to the halt in shipping services, export consignments are currently stranded at these ports.
Industry representatives say India produces about 11 lakh metric tonnes of coir fibre and 20 lakh metric tonnes of coir pith annually, exporting them to nearly 125 countries. Exporters estimate that around Rs 100 crore worth of shipments have been affected within a week and warn that losses could reach Rs 1,000 crore if the disruption continues for two months. They have urged the Central government and the Coir Board of India to explore domestic market opportunities and new export destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Australia.