Coir
Coir is the fibre extracted from the husk of the coconut, Cocos nucifera. It is the only commercial natural fibre that is high in lignin, which makes it stiff, springy and unusually resistant to rot and salt water. Two commercial families come out of the husk: white fibre, retted from immature green husks and spun into yarn, and brown fibre, taken from mature husks and used in bulk. Coir goes into mattress and upholstery filling, rope and twine, brushes and brooms, doormats and matting, geotextiles for erosion control, and rubberised curled coir for seating and bedding. The dust and short fibre left behind is graded separately as coir pith, a horticultural growing medium.
Listed coir markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Coir is contracted on the fibre family and end use class, then on measured length, impurity, moisture and, for pith, on the salt and nutrient chemistry.
Fibre identity and species
3 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Fibre familyDeclared | White fibre, retted from green immature husks and pale and flexible, or brown fibre, from mature husks and stiff and dark. They are separate trades with separate uses. |
| Extraction methodDeclared | Traditional pond or backwater retting, mechanical decortication, or a combination. Retting time drives colour, softness and residual pith. |
| End use classDeclared | Mattress fibre, bristle fibre, curled or twisted fibre, yarn, or coir pith. The class is the first term of the contract because the measurements that follow differ by class. |
Commercial fibre classification
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Mattress fibreClass | Short, curled brown fibre separated below the bristle sieve, used loose or rubberised for bedding, upholstery and seating. |
| Bristle fibreClass | Long, straight, stiff brown fibre combed out for brush and broom manufacture. The longest and the highest priced brown class. |
| Omat fibreClass | The short residual fibre recovered after the bristle and mattress separation. |
| White fibre, rettedClass | Pale flexible fibre from retted green husks, spun into yarn for matting, rope and twine. |
| Curled coirClass | Fibre twisted into rope, cured and then untwisted so it holds a permanent spring. The base material for rubberised coir. |
| Rubberised coir sheetClass | Curled coir bonded with latex into a sheet of a stated density and thickness. |
| Coir yarnClass | Spun from white fibre, contracted on the count, the twist and the runnage. |
| Coir pithClass | The spongy dust fraction, compressed into blocks or discs and sold as a horticultural substrate. Contracted on electrical conductivity, pH and water holding capacity. |
| Geotextile coirClass | Woven or knitted coir netting for slope stabilisation, contracted on mesh opening and mass per unit area. |
Physical and mechanical measurement
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Fibre lengthMillimetres or centimetres, as a range | Measured on a straightened sample. The dividing measurement between bristle, mattress and omat classes. |
| Impurity and pith contentPercentage by mass, maximum | Residual dust, pith and shell fragment left in the fibre after sieving. The most contested number in a coir contract. |
| Moisture contentPercentage by mass, maximum | Measured at the standard atmosphere. Coir is hygroscopic and it will grow mould in a container if it is baled wet. |
| Fibre diameterMicrons | Determined on a projection microscope or by gravimetric linear density. |
| Tensile strength and elongationNewtons per tex and percentage | Determined under ISO 5079. Coir has a high elongation at break relative to the other hard fibres. |
| Lignin contentPercentage by mass | The chemistry behind coir durability and rot resistance. |
| ColourAgainst the reference sample | Golden brown to dark brown for brown fibre, pale cream to light gold for white. Retting time and sun drying set it. |
| Bale densityKilograms per cubic metre | Coir is a low density cargo and the pressed density decides the freight cost per tonne. |
Pith and substrate chemistry
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Electrical conductivityMillisiemens per centimetre, maximum | Residual salt from coastal retting and processing. It burns roots and it is the defining quality term for horticultural pith. |
| Washing and bufferingDeclared | Unwashed, washed with fresh water, or calcium buffered to displace sodium and potassium from the exchange sites. |
| pHValue range | Measured on a rehydrated sample. |
| Water holding capacityPercentage or ratio by volume | Measured after full saturation and free drainage. |
| Compression ratioRatio, declared | How much the block expands on rehydration, which sets the freight economics. |
| Particle size distributionPercentage retained on stated sieve apertures | Determines air filled porosity in the finished substrate. |
| Sodium and chlorideMilligrams per litre, maximum | Measured in the saturation extract on lots destined for sensitive crops. |
Delivery, packing and certification
10 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Baling and packingDeclared, with the bale weight and the pack material | Pressed bales, hydraulic bales, hanks or bundles, with the wrapping named. Synthetic wrap is excluded where contamination is a contract term. |
| Marking and lot identityDeclared | Bale marks, lot number and the test certificate number, tied to the sample retained by both parties. |
| Test certificateCertificate, with the issuing house | An independent test house certificate is the contract document in this trade and the lot is settled against it. |
| Sampling methodDeclared | Core sampling, grab sampling or full lot testing, with the number of bales sampled written into the contract. |
| Fumigation and phytosanitary treatmentDeclared, with the certificate | Named where the destination requires it for a plant or animal origin fibre. |
| CertificationCertificate, with the scheme and the certificate number | Organic, Responsible Wool, Responsible Alpaca, Responsible Mohair, Fairtrade or a private buyer standard, named on the contract when it is contracted. |
| Clip or crop yearDeclared | The shearing season or the harvest year, recorded with the lot. |
| BalingDeclared, with the bale weight and dimensions | Hydraulically pressed bales, compressed blocks, discs or bulk bags. Named on the contract because it drives the container fill. |
| Fumigation and phytosanitary certificateDeclared, with the certificate | Required by most destinations for a plant origin fibre. |
| Container stuffingDeclared | Whether the lot fills by weight or by volume, which for coir is almost always volume. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| India | Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | Kurunegala, Puttalam, Gampaha and the North Western Province | Origin and destination |
| Indonesia | North Sumatra, Riau, Java and Sulawesi | Origin and destination |
| Philippines | Quezon, Davao and the Zamboanga Peninsula | Origin and destination |
| Vietnam | Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta | Origin and destination |
| Thailand | Surat Thani and the southern provinces | Origin and destination |
| Malaysia | Johor and Sabah | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | Colima and Guerrero | Origin and destination |
| Brazil | Bahia, Ceara and Para | Origin and destination |
| Ivory Coast | the coastal lagoon belt | Origin and destination |
| Ghana | the Western and Central coastal regions | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania | Zanzibar and the Tanga coast | Origin and destination |
| Papua New Guinea | New Britain and Madang | Origin and destination |
| China | Guangdong, Zhejiang and Shandong | Destination |
| United States | the Southeast bedding cluster and the Pacific Northwest horticulture base | Destination |
| Netherlands | Westland and the greenhouse cluster | Destination |
| Spain | Almeria and Murcia | Destination |
| Germany | North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony | Destination |
| United Kingdom | England, horticulture and bedding | Destination |
| Italy | Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna | Destination |
| France | Pays de la Loire and Brittany | Destination |
| Poland | Mazovia and Greater Poland | Destination |
| Turkey | Antalya and Istanbul | Destination |
| South Korea | Gyeonggi and North Jeolla | Destination |
| Japan | Aichi and Shizuoka | Destination |
| Canada | Ontario and British Columbia | Destination |
| Australia | Queensland and New South Wales | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Jebel Ali, re-export and regional horticulture | Destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh and the protected agriculture projects | Destination |
| Egypt | the Nile Delta greenhouse belt | Destination |
| South Africa | Western Cape and Gauteng | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the fibre is shorn, cut or retted at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is classing, testing, baling and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCoconut is harvested year round, so husk supply is continuous. The southwest monsoon from June to September slows sun drying in Kerala and tightens the low moisture grades. |
| Sri Lanka | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecContinuous husk supply, with the two monsoons interrupting drying yards. The northeast monsoon from December to February and the southwest from May to August are the two soft windows. |
| Indonesia | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecYear round supply, with the wet season from November to March lengthening drying and lifting moisture in the bale. |
| Vietnam | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecContinuous Mekong Delta supply, with the rains from May to October the slow window for drying. |
| Philippines | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecYear round husk supply, interrupted by the typhoon season from July to November. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for coir. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading5305.00 Coir fibre, raw or processed but not spun
- PackingCompressed bales. Jute and sisal at 180 kg to 250 kg, animal fibre at 100 kg to 300 kg pressed under hessian or polypropylene wrap, silk in cartons. Bale identification must carry the lot and the test certificate number.
- Container loading20ft: 10 t to 18 t depending on bale density. Wool, cashmere and other animal fibres are volume limited well before weight.
- Contract and arbitrationIWTO Blue Book terms with IWTO core test certificates and arbitration under IWTO rules for wool and fine animal hair. Plant fibres on the contract of the origin trade association or on CIF terms with arbitration at the named seat.
- Destination limitsPhytosanitary certification for plant fibres under Regulation 2016/2031 and veterinary health certification for animal fibre under Regulation 2016/429 and Regulation 142/2011. EU REACH restrictions on residual dyes, biocides and azo colourants. CITES prohibits trade in shahtoosh and controls vicuna.
Common questions
What grades of coir does SIP Global trade?
We quote 37 published grades of coir, including Fibre family - Declared, Extraction method - Declared, End use class - Declared, Mattress fibre - Class, Bristle fibre - Class and Omat fibre - Class. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is coir graded?
Coir is contracted on the fibre family and end use class, then on measured length, impurity, moisture and, for pith, on the salt and nutrient chemistry. Grading runs on 5 systems: Fibre identity and species, Commercial fibre classification, Physical and mechanical measurement, Pith and substrate chemistry and Delivery, packing and certification.
Where does SIP Global trade coir?
We trade coir in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico and 23 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is coir harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are India: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Sri Lanka: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Indonesia: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Vietnam: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Philippines: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for coir?
Coir is normally classified under HS 5305.00 (coir fibre, raw or processed but not spun). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for coir?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed coir market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- IPPCInternational Plant Protection Convention phytosanitary measures
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.