In the first half of 2025, the coir fiber market experienced a steady recovery. In Sri Lanka, coir fiber prices began at $63 per ton in January, rising to $114 per ton by June. Similarly, Indonesia's coir prices showed an increasing trend throughout the period, starting from $145 per metric ton in January to reach $170 per ton in June. This price increase can be attributed to several factors, including potential tightening of supply, and stronger global demand for coir products.

India's coir exports in the beginning of 2025 experienced significant growth compared to the previous year. From January-April 2025, export value surged by 46.5%, from $140 million in 2024 to $206 million in 2025, driven by strong global demand for eco-friendly products. The export volume also increased by 5.9%, from 486 thousand metric tons in 2024 to 515 thousand metric tons in 2025. This growth reflects India’s successful market penetration, especially in North America and Europe, where demand for coir-based products like mats, geotextiles, and pith has risen substantially.

China remained the largest importer of Indian coir products, with export volume reaching 215,221 metric tons during the period of January-April 2025. Netherlands and USA followed with 47,571 metric tons and 43,176 metric tons.  

During January–April 2025, Indonesia exported 8,275 metric tons of coir products valued at USD 1.58 million, reflecting a significant year-on-year increase of 24% in volume and 50% in value compared to 6,686 MT and USD 1.05 million during the same period in 2024. This growth was primarily driven by expanded demand from China, whose imports rose from 5,163 MT (USD 723,000) in 2024 to 5,968 MT (USD 1.04 million) in 2025, maintaining its dominant position with 72% share of total volume. Similarly, exports to South Korea nearly doubled in value from USD 189,000 to USD 361,000, with volume rising by 38%, indicating strengthening trade ties. Meanwhile, Malaysia emerged as a new importer in 2025 with 248 MT valued at USD 61,000. The average export price improved modestly from USD 157/MT in 2024 to USD 190/MT in 2025, driven by higher-value shipments, especially for other countries (USD 696/MT). This strong export performance suggests a positive trajectory for Indonesia’s coir industry, highlighting the importance of maintaining momentum through value-added product development, market diversification, and strengthening of trade relationships beyond traditional markets.

Source: BPS-Statistics Indonesia

Sri Lanka’s coir product exports showed strong overall performance during January–May 2025, reaching a total export value of USD 113.09 million, a 17% increase from USD 96.42 million in the same period in 2024, despite a marginal overall decline in volume across several traditional product categories. Key contributors to this growth were moulded coir products for horticulture, which rose by 24% in value to USD 93.88 million, accounting for over 83% of total export earnings. Similarly, value-added products like coir twine/rope (+23%), coir mats and rugs (+19%), geo textiles (+10%), and rubberized coir pads for bedding (+11%) also recorded healthy value gains, indicating a positive shift towards higher-value, processed coir items. Notably, coir mattings showed an exceptional 600% increase in value albeit from a low base, signaling emerging interest in this niche segment.

However, several bulk fibre categories experienced notable declines both in volume and value, with mattress fibre down by 41% in volume and 28% in value, and bristle fibre down by 43% in volume and 42% in value, reflecting either weakening demand or supply-side constraints. Twisted fibre, coir yarn, and fibre pith/dust also saw declines, suggesting that while raw material exports are declining, Sri Lanka is increasingly gaining value through semi-processed and finished coir products.