In southeast Mexico, a type of agave plant is being used to replace plastic and synthetic fibers. This strong and eco-friendly plant is becoming more welcomed by Asian markets. CGTN's Alasdair Baverstock tells us the story from Yucatan.  

The city of Merida in southeastern Mexico, a jewel in the heart of the jungle, was built on henequen. By some estimates, it once accounted for ninety percent of all the rope and burlap sacks used in the world, the Yucatan grew wealthy from exploiting this versatile agave plant. After the introduction of plastic and synthetic fibres in the 1950s the bottom fell out of the market, as Raul Espinoza, from a long line of henequen producers knows too well.

RAUL ESPINOZA HENEQUEN PRODUCER "For many decades, more than a century, this plant brought great wealth. It's a very noble plant, which prospers in the harshest conditions, and which serves for many purposes. But the work is very hard and requires much strength, and the younger generations are losing interest."

Today, Raul continues to produce henequen on his family's land for a hobby.

ALASDAIR BAVERSTOCK YUCATAN "This here is henequen, a species of agave that can be manufactured into a tough fabric, and has been used by the inhabitants of these lands for millennia. And much like cotton in the United States, this plant generated a booming textile industry here in the Yucatan."

Yucatan state once produced 130,000 tons of henequen annually. Today, that has dropped to just six-thousand, with only fifteen processing plants remaining from hundreds. But help may be at hand in the form of overseas markets. According to Yucatan's Rural Development Ministry, Asian markets such as China have expressed interest in increased production and investment in the state's industry.

LUIS NOVELO YUCATAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR "China has certainly expressed an interest, and we have received a number of visits from businessmen looking to import and invest in our state's product. Our government has worked to subsidize henequen production, and thirteen thousand hectares are given over to it. Yucatan is ready to provide for any demand."

Henequen is versatile. While losing out to other textiles in comfort, it is strong, abundant and eco-friendly. As foreign demand grows for the Yucatan's emblematic product, producers like Raul hope that prosperity will return to the region. Alasdair Baverstock, CGTN, Yucatan.