Coconuts market in Seychelles

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, coconut production in Seychelles held steady at 4 800 tons annually. During this period, the market saw the launch of the first coco de mer-based brandy in 2019, expanding the product range beyond raw nuts. Authorities also implemented a citizen planting scheme and intensified anti-poaching efforts to ensure the sustainability of the coco de mer population, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to border closures but did not disrupt production.

Production rose by 25.5% to 6 024 tons in 2022 and remained at this level in 2023. This increase coincided with a more than doubling of coco de mer nut sales in 2022, reflecting stronger market activity. The cabinet's approval of geographical indications for coco de mer in 2022 aimed to enhance market access, and in 2023, new regulations for processing, trade, and export were endorsed, facilitating the entry of new businesses into value-added production such as jams, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals.

In 2024, the Seychelles government continued its coco de mer planting scheme and approved further analysis for geographical indication status with EU expertise. Announcements were made regarding new alcohol products made with coco de mer, indicating ongoing diversification in the market.

Production coconuts in Seychelles

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Seychelles produced 4,800 tonnes of coconuts, showing no significant change from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Seychelles in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports coconuts from Seychelles

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Seychelles exported 777 kg of coconuts, marking a sharp increase of 405.8% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Seychelles in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia were the top contributors to exports in kind, accounting for 52.2%, 26.4%, and 16.2% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 94.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 82 times. In 2020, Seychelles exported 196.4 thousand US dollars worth of coconuts, which is 8,051.6% higher than in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong remained the primary destination for coconut exports from Seychelles in value terms, accounting for 75.3% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports coconuts to Seychelles

Imports in kind, kg

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.3-fold shift between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of coconuts to Seychelles totalled 1,388 kg, representing a 51.7% reduction year-over-year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 816 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 76.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 252.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Seychelles in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and India accounted for the largest share of imports in kind, with 51.3%, 12.8%, and 11.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 75.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign coconut supplies to Seychelles totalled 3.1 thousand US dollars, which is 24.4% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 51.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2.6 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 61.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for coconut imports to Seychelles in value terms were the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and India, accounting for 36.6%, 16.9%, and 16.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 69.5% of total flows.

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

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