History of Sisal

Sisal is a plant originally from Yucatan, Mexico.  It is called 'sosquil' and 'green gold'.  It is the coarest vegetable "hard" fibre.  In the 1890's, sisal was introduced to East Africa as a crop suitable for extreme hot and dry conditions.  The majority of the sisal production now takes place in Tanzania.

After a difficult start, production prospered and by the 1960's Tanzania production alone totalled some 230,000 tonnes.  Today Brazil is the major World producer of sisal at some 125,000 tonnes.  Other countries involved in sisal production include Kenya, Mexico and Haiti.