KOLKATA: Aided by increased exports to countries like Syria, Indian jute exporters are hopeful of reporting a good performance in 2005-06, Union Textiles Ministry officials said. Exports during the year are estimated to touch $266 million.

Sources said that according to firm figures, between April and February 2005-06, exports stood at $213.7 million against $153 million in the same period in 2004-05. In volume terms, these stood at 2.18 lakh tonnes against 1.91 lakh tonnes. Led by the U.S., ten countries accounted for 69 per cent of the total jute goods exports from India.

While the U.S. continued to be the biggest importer, countries, which increased their imports, accounting for a larger share, were: Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan and the U.K. Some of these countries had nearly doubled their imports according to direct export returns filed by exporters for the April-November period.

The increasing trend in exports has been attributed to the rise in imports of traditional items such as hessian and sacking by the countries mentioned above, both by volume and value. Exports of yarn have dropped. These three product categories accounted for a 68 per cent share in total exports. Sustained efforts saw an increase in the export earnings from diversified jute goods, including floor coverings and hand and shopping bags, which accounted for 29 per cent of the value of exports in the first 11 months of 2005-06. Some exports of soil savers, webbing, canvas/tarpaulin also took place. The U.S., the U.K., Germany, Italy and Spain were the five major markets for jute diversified goods.

However, ministry sources pointed out that further industry initiative was needed to boost exports. "Indian industry has a good cushion in the domestic market," they said. As per Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) statistics, although world import of jute, kenaf and allied fibres had increased between 2003 and 2004, India's share had dropped from 34 per cent in 2003 to 26 per cent the next year. During the same period, Bangladesh increased its market share and export volumes.

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