Supply chain study of coir industry

COIR INDUSTRY: The Coir Council International has initiated a study on the supply chain of the national coir industry. This initiative is partnered by the USAID funded The Competitiveness Program and will be conducted in partnership with all stakeholders in the industry including the public sector.

Sri Lanka is privileged to be one of the earliest coir manufacturers in the world. Being a tropical island, Sri Lanka is rich with the coconut palm of which coir is a by product.

The value of coir as a natural raw material which is environmentally friendly is considered healthy to be used for matresses, body brushes, car seats etc and is durable. Hence the value of coir not merely in terms of economics but certainly also in terms of its very nature cannot be under-estimated.

If this is the scenario, why hasn't Sri Lanka's coir industry progressed as it should have? Some issues are obvious while others aren't.

It is in this context that the Coir Council International (CCI), being the parent body of Sri Lanka's coir industry stakeholders has together with her partners initiated a study to understand the value and supply at each level of the chain.

Considering the privilege of being one of the earliest manufacturers of coir, Sri Lanka cannot boast of having retained its number 1 slot in terms of being a global supplier of this valuable commodity. This is moreso with the entry of other coir producing nations.

This initiative will identify current barriers to the competitiveness of the national coir industry supply chain and quantify the cost impact of these opportunities while looking at solutions for improving the performance of the overall supply chain through which the entire industry will see greater productivity and greater efficiency.

The Coir Council International is committed to promoting and enhancing the coir industry in the South and the Coconut Triangle while also promoting the industry throughout the island.

This is in keeping with CCI's mission to propel the national coir industry to global competitiveness which is also facilitated in the President's vision.