India is the world’s largest producer of jute and jute allied fibres in terms of area coverage and production with its share in the world jute production as 52% in 2013-14. India is second largest exporter of jute and jute products after Bangladesh with a share of 24% of the world exports.
There are no fixed criteria/parameters for maintaining minimum quality of Indian jute products for export. However, exports of Food Grade Quality jute cloth/ bags are regulated as per specification laid down by IJO 98/01 which conforms to processing of jute cloth/ bags in Rice Bran Oil (II) having unsaponifiable content of less than 1250 mg/kg.
For exporting jute and jute products, exporters are required to obtain Import Export Code (IEC) from Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from Export Promotion Council(s). There are no specific reports of exporters facing difficulty in obtaining these certificates.
In order to promote jute export, Government is implementing Export Market Development Assistance (EMDA) Scheme for jute diversified products (JDPs) to reimburse the part of the travel expenditure and stall rent including decoration for participation in international trade fairs/ exhibitions by jute exporters. Under the Market Development Assistance Scheme, Government provides assistance of 50% of maximum cost of participation in an international event with a ceiling of Rs. 3.75 lakhs to cover rent, decoration, air travel and boarding expenses for promotion of export in any country. The government also facilitates independent participation by the manufacturer-exporters in established gift fairs and exhibitions for marketing gift items and specialized fairs for products like floor coverings. In addition, a Jute Design Cell has been set up at the Innovative Centre for Natural Fibres (ICNF) of National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad for development of Jute Shopping Bags and Lifestyle Accessories. Jute Products Development and Export Promotion Council (JPDEPC), Kolkata is liaising with NID in this regard to promote the newly developed designs and jute products in national as well as international markets through their member industry houses.