Coconuts market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

Vietnamese coconut production showed consistent growth between 2018 and 2023, rising from 1.6 million t to 2.1 million t. This expansion lifted the domestic market volume from 1.5 million t to 2 million t over the same period. Exports climbed steadily from 39 000 t to 121 000 t, while imports remained minimal except for temporary increases to 24 000 t in 2020 and 15 000 t in 2021.

The year 2024 marked a shift with the signing of a fresh coconut import protocol between Vietnam and China, opening a major official export channel. Export volume surged to 365 000 t, supported by the issuance of packaging facility codes to 14 enterprises for shipping to China. Strong demand from China and the US pushed fresh coconut export value to $390 million, accounting for 25 % of the sector’s export turnover. However, the rapid outflow of fresh coconuts caused raw material shortages for domestic processors, reducing their operating capacity by 10‑15 %. Concurrently, organic coconut area expanded to about one‑third of total cultivation, meeting US‑EU standards, and a government master plan included coconuts as one of six key industrial crops, providing long‑term policy support.

Production coconuts in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Vietnam ranked as the 7th largest producer of coconuts from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Vietnam's coconut production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 721 thousand tons of coconuts, marking a 2.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

Exports coconuts from Vietnam

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Vietnam's coconut exports reached 109.0 thousand tons in 2020, representing a sharp increase of 189.6% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 37.6 thousand tons, with imports fluctuating 2.9 times between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 44.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Thailand, and Egypt consistently led Vietnam's coconut export destinations by volume. China accounted for 35.1% of exports, Thailand for 28.5%, and Egypt for 6.0%, together making up 69.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Vietnam's coconut exports were valued at 157.6 million US dollars, showing a 24.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 63.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 160.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 66.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Thailand, and Egypt contributed the most to Vietnam's coconut export value. China represented 34.6% of exports, Thailand 27.4%, and Egypt 7.8%, collectively accounting for 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconuts to Vietnam

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Vietnam's coconut imports amounted to 24.3 thousand tons in 2020, marking a dramatic rise of 2 077.6% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 0.6 thousand tons, with imports varying by 41 times between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 77.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia was the primary source for Vietnam's coconut imports, consistently accounting for 93.7% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2020, Vietnam's coconut imports were valued at 30.1 million US dollars, indicating a dramatic year-on-year increase of 2 840.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.7 million US dollars, with imports varying by 43 times between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 80.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam's coconut imports were largely directed towards Indonesia, which held a 94.2% share of total import value.

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

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