We know China 🇨🇳 as a global export powerhouse, but did you know that they are also a major importer of some fascinating commodities ? 🚢 📦 According to my peers in #international #commodities, there are some imports that compels a second look as they are posed for interesting #growth and new #trade routes. This means new opportunities in some niche segments. 💎 Such is a hidden Gem in China's Import Boom: Coir Fiber for Sustainable Geotextiles. A commodity that China depends on India and whose trade has grown at 15% CAGR, consistently, in this decade. 📈 Let's take a closer look at this material and its potential for new trade growth. 👉 India is the coir king 👑 , and together with Sri Lanka, accounted for 90% of the world's output. 👉 95% of these exported coir goes to China, with over 3500 shipments to the country. ( For comparison, USA stands second with just 50 shipments) 👉 Interestingly, there are around 90 traders in India 🇮🇳 shipping to almost 200 buyers in China 👉 However, the top 3 traders ship close to 1500 shipments, which means almost 40% of the shipments come from these three traders. (Comment for the names) 👉 On the other hand, the top 3 Chinese buyers bought only 400 shipments. So, top 3 buyers only need 10% of shipments. This data raises some crucial questions, (and some insights) 1️⃣ How a trader can capture this niche segment and create value addition and hence more profits? A hint - #kerala,India 🇮🇳 🌴 2️⃣ what are the latest industries or manufacturing processes where coir is a feedstock, and which are the industries where it can be a substitute? One is #geotextiles 🧶 3️⃣ Are there new geographies which will need coir fibre on a large scale? Clue -#middleast What are they used for? 🇦🇪 4️⃣ ....... Simple answers to these open up a world of new opportunities. What do you think? 🌏 🛳 #international #commodities #coirfiber #geotextiles #traderoutes #thenichetrader