HC Deb 09 June 1981 vol 6 c60W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade which States are leading producers of sisal, abaca (manilla hemp) and coir; and whether any commodity scheme is contemplated to bring stability to these markets.

Mr. Parkinson

Tanzania, Mexico and Brazil are the leading producers of sisal; Philippines and Ecuador of abaca; and India and Sri Lanka of coir.

Discussions continue within the UNCTAD framework on commodity arrangements for abaca, coir and sisal but they are still at an early stage.