Surat jari units face threat from 'metallic' rival

The struggling jari industry of Surat is now facing stiff competition from a new, cheaper product.

Surat is the only centre in the country where traditional jari is manufactured.

The industry is passing through extreme recession for the last several months.

Jari manufacturers have cut down production by keeping their units closed for two to three days a week.

The main centres where locally made jari is supplied are Varanasi, Salem, Bangalore, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Coimbatore.

Jari manufactured in Surat is supplied to these places, but a new type of jari, known as 'metallic jari', is giving a tough competition to the traditional jari. The metallic jari is made of plastic sheets, industry sources said.

Leading jari manufacturer Ramanbhai Jariwala, said, "There is a lot of difference between metallic jari and traditional jari. Our jari is much better as far as quality is concerned. We are, however, still losing out, mainly due to the fact that metallic jari is much cheaper than the traditional jari."

"We supply jari mainly to Varanasi, Salem, Bangalore and some other southern cities, but many people have started manufacturing metallic jari in these places. We hear that more such units are being set up at these places," Jariwala said.

Mansukh Rana, another jari manufacturer, said, "Metallic jari is manufactured at places which were our major markets. Our jari is anyway costlier than metallic jari. Packaging, transportation and other charges make it even more costly."

"Earlier, there was no alternative to traditional jari. But now things are different. Our customers are opting for the cheaper metallic jari which has made things all the more difficult for us. If things continue the same way, we will have to close down our units permanently," Rana said.

Asked if there was any way out, Rana said, "The jari industry can be saved only if local powerloom industry starts using our jari. At present, the powerlooms use imported jari as locally made jari turns black when exposed to heat and chemicals."

"Metallic jari would not even be a concern for us, if we are able to find a way to prevent our jari from blackening so that powerlooms can use it. Powerlooms need a high quantity of jari. If they use our jari, we will have to struggle to meet their demand," Rana said.