Coconuts market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the coconut market in MERCOSUR expanded from 2 366 thousand tons to 2 917 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the ongoing economic integration within the bloc, established by the Treaty of Asunción and reinforced through initiatives to harmonize technical regulations and modernize trade agreements, which facilitated smoother market operations.

In the latter part of the period, rising consumer demand for ecological and healthy products in the region stimulated coconut consumption, as coconuts are perceived as a natural and sustainable food. This trend, coupled with increasing awareness of the health benefits of coconut products, provided a direct driver for market expansion.

Domestic production increased from 2 345 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 899 thousand tons in 2023, closely matching the growth in market size, while imports remained relatively low and stable, indicating that the market was primarily supplied by regional output.

Production coconuts in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

MERCOSUR's coconut production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 2,434 thousand tonnes of coconuts, marking a controlled gain of 3.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports coconuts from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, coconut exports from MERCOSUR have increased. In 2020, exports were recorded at 935 tonnes, which is 1.9% higher year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 40.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 917 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 29.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Spain, and Portugal remained the main buyers of coconuts from MERCOSUR, accounting for 29.3%, 19.1%, and 7.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries formed 55.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign coconut supplies from MERCOSUR have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1,004 thousand US dollars, up by 5.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 795 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 38.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 19.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for coconuts in value terms. The United States, Egypt, and Spain accounted for 17.8%, 13.4%, and 8.6% of exports in value, respectively, together taking only 39.9% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020

Imports coconuts to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign coconut supplies to MERCOSUR totalled 22,249 tonnes, representing a small drop of 2.2% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 21,970 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 22,742 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 3.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia and the Philippines clearly dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, with other countries together forming the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign coconut supplies to MERCOSUR reached 32,321 thousand US dollars, which is 3.8% higher than a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 31,130 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 43,248 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 28.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia and the Philippines were the dominant destinations for imports in value terms of coconuts to MERCOSUR, jointly accounting for 90.2% of total flows. The remaining volume was split among smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020