63rd FEIBP Congress | September 20-22, 2023 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Market Reports VEGETABLE FIBERS: Urte Rietdorf (Friedrich Platt GmbH) Urte Rietdorf gave an overview of the worldwide resources and sourcing issues of the natural materials Tampico Fibre from Mexico, Bahia Piassava from palm trees in South America, Sherbro from palm trees in Sierra Leone in West Africa, Palmyra from India, Coconut Fibre from Sri Lanka and Arenga from Indonesia. For all products, she reported a high standard of quality. However, if the products from the countries of origin are available at all, quantities are scarce and prices are rising. Producers are doing their best to keep prices stable until the end of 2023. Sourced from Mexico, Tampico fiber prices are on a continuous upward trajectory, with no immediate prospects for a reversal in the near future. This ongoing price surge can be attributed to several factors, including the relentless increase in energy costs, rising ground transportation expenses, and escalating production costs. Additionally, the ongoing reevaluation of the Peso against the US Dollar further compounds these challenges. Importantly, most of these factors are beyond the control of the producers. The quality of Tampico fiber has also been impacted by the persistent drought in the harvest region, but dedicated producers are unwavering in their commitment to providing the highest possible quality. Availability has been hindered by the drought and a shortage of harvest labor, contributing to increased prices. It is anticipated that this situation will persist in the years to come. The price outlook for Bahia Piassava sourced from South America is currently fraught with uncertainty, raising concerns about the survival of numerous small companies in the industry. Suppliers are making every effort to maintain the current price levels until the end of the year, although unexpected events may trigger price increases. As for quality, it varies across different regions and is heavily contingent on the expertise of the fabricators, necessitating a discerning eye to assess the fiber’s quality accurately. While there is an ample supply of raw fiber, the main challenge lies in the high domestic demand, with a significant portion of the fiber being consumed within the national market. Furthermore, the younger generation’s waning interest in performing labor for the collection of Bahia Piassava is also a future concern.
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Sherbro, sourced from Sierra Leone, is experiencing a persistent increase in prices, primarily driven by the repercussions of the Russian-Ukraine conflict and the escalating costs of gas and fuel. Fortunately, the quality of Sherbro remains consistently high, offering a reliable product standard. However, the fiber’s availability is currently constrained, with production operating at a notably low capacity due to limited demands and orders in the market. Palmyra, sourced from India, has faced challenges primarily due to a decrease in demand during 2022 and 2023, especially from foreign markets like the U.S. This decline has significantly impacted prices, compelling sellers to provide high-quality materials at minimal profit margins. Despite these pricing Urte Rietdorf pressures, the quality of Palmyra remains consistent, even though declining production volumes and high processing costs present challenges. Issues related to labor, including strenuous manual work and low wages, are pushing the younger generation toward alternative job opportunities. Furthermore, unpredictable climate conditions introduce an additional layer of uncertainty. Dedicated producers are striving to secure high-quality materials from reliable suppliers and consistently implement stringent quality controls. Trustworthy regions and skilled workers are pivotal in this endeavor. Notwithstanding these challenges, suppliers are maintaining a stock of high-quality Palmyra to meet future orders. The pandemic period had previously led to a dip in Palmyra supply, adversely affecting the industry. However, the current supply situation is deemed favorable, with ample availability projected for the current year. Encouragingly, the future outlook appears positive, driven by increasing awareness of the significance of natural materials and growing interest in the cultivation and processing of Palmyra Fiber due to its ecofriendly properties.
