Coconuts market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The coconut market volume in Southern Asia declined from 18,980 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 16,662 thousand tonnes in 2020, primarily due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected production and transportation. Government support through the Coconut Development Board continued during this period, focusing on production improvement and pest management.

After 2020, the market showed volatile recovery, with volume rising to 17,192 thousand tonnes in 2021 before falling to 15,931 thousand tonnes in 2022. In 2023, increased production helped lift market volume to 16,625 thousand tonnes, supported by the emergence of new coconut-based products like coconut flour and milk, which expanded market segments. Industry conferences were held in 2022 and 2023 to address development challenges and policy.

Production coconuts in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's coconut production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 16 688 thousand metric tons of coconuts, representing a 5.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 23.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 993 thousand metric tons, which marked a significant 40.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 7.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Coconut production in Southern Asia has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of coconut output in the region was 40 191 million US dollars, which is 2.4% lower than in 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 47 966 million US dollars, representing a 22.8% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when the value dropped by 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coconuts from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The coconut export market from Southern Asia showed considerable volatility during the observed period. In 2020, the region exported 49 460 metric tons of coconuts, representing a substantial 24.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 38 110 metric tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 65 901 metric tons. This represents a 1.7-fold difference between the peak and trough years. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 72.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, several countries played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of coconuts from Southern Asia. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 17.5% of exports in volume, the United States for 7.9%, and Canada for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 30.3% of total coconut exports from the region during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, coconut exports from Southern Asia were valued at 91 915 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 5.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 85 296 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 98 947 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 12.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 16.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Asia exported coconuts to numerous countries, with no single destination dominating the market. Even the three largest buyers—the United States, Canada, and Germany—together accounted for only 29.9% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports coconuts to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Southern Asia imported 23 659 metric tons of coconuts in 2020, representing a 21.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volume decreased by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 970 metric tons, which marked a 17.5% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Asia sourced coconut imports from a diverse range of partners. Indonesia accounted for 18.0% of imports by volume, Malaysia for 10.0%, and Vietnam for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 35.9% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, coconut imports into Southern Asia declined in 2020. The region imported coconuts valued at 41 506 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a substantial 20.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 19.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 41 506 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a modest 0.6% rise.

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

The partner structure for coconut imports into Southern Asia remained fragmented between 2017 and 2020. Indonesia accounted for 24.5% of imports by value, the United Arab Emirates for 11.1%, and Malaysia for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 45.2% of total import flows, with no single country achieving a dominant market share.

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

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