Jute exports are expected to touch around Rs 900 crore, which is around 47 per cent more than the previous year.
S Majumdar, Jute Commissioner, said while exports in 2001-02 was to the tune of Rs 613 crore, exports had already crossed Rs 640 crore by December 2002. However, the export projection for this year was still below the target of Rs 1,000 crore.
Out of total exports, traditional jute accounted for 67 per cent exports while the balance was represented by diversified products. In the domestic market, the share of diversified jute was 10-12 per cent.
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Traditional jute goods comprised hessian, carpet backing cloth and sacking. Except sacking products, there had been a general decline in consumption of the remaining traditional jute goods.
Despite this downward trend, production of sacking and hessian figures 1021.4 thousand tonne and 243 thousand tonne respectively in 2001-02 out of a total production of 1460.8 thousand tonne of traditional jute products.
On the other hand, jute diversified products included blankets, decorative fabrics, gift articles, shopping, hand bags and wall hangings.
Besides diversified products, decorative fabrics commanded the highest production. Of the speciality jute products, jute twines and yarns had the highest production followed by jute canvas and tarpaulin. The biggest foreign exchange earner was however floor coverings followed by shopping bags.
Majumdar also said that relaxation of the Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMA) has had no major impact on the industry.