India accounts for more than two-thirds of the world production of coir and coir products. It is an important cottage industry contributing significantly to the economy of the major coconut growing States and Union Territories, i.e., Kerala, Tamil nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Orissa, Assam, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweed, Pondicherry, etc.

Indian coir industry is an important cottage industry contributing significantly to the economy of the major coconut growing States and Union Territories, i.e., Kerala, Tamil nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Orissa, Assam, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweed, Pondicherry, etc. About .5.5 lakh persons get employment, mostly part time, in this industry. The exports from this industry are around Rs. 70 crores.

Kerala is the home of Indian coir industry, particularly white fibre, accounting for 61 per cent of coconut production and over 85 per cent of coir products. Coir industry is second to agriculture as a source of employment in Kerala, providing employment to 3.83 lakh persons, of whom 3.25 lakh are women. With 10.05 lakh hectares having coconut cultivation in Kerala, this accounts for 45% of the net cropped area. The coconut out put is estimated at 5759 million nuts annually.

Varieties of coir yarn produced in Kerala are Ashtamudi, Anjengo, Mangadan, Artary, Vaikom, Koilandy, Arror Sp, Muppine and Rope Yarn. The Varieties of Coir products produced & exported are Matts, Mattings, Rubberised Coir products, Mattresses, Pillows, Cushion, Coir Geo Textiles, Tuffesi Mats, Coir pith, Rugs, Carpets and Curled Coir. The Kerala State production caters 90% of domestic consumption and 95% Export from the country.