Desiccated coconuts market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for desiccated coconuts in Eastern Africa contracted, with volume falling from 990 t to 844 t. This decline coincided with government efforts to promote coconut farming for edible oil production, which faced immediate challenges including poor agronomic practices and limited market access for farmers. In 2019, coconut production in the Lindi Region dropped significantly, and by 2020, the introduction of drought-susceptible new cultivars further pressured domestic output, contributing to the shrinking market size as imports also decreased.

The market exhibited sharp volatility in the following years. After dropping to 707 t in 2021, volume surged to 1 047 t in 2022 driven by a spike in imports to over 830 t. However, in 2023, the market halved to 587 t as exports more than tripled, redirecting supply abroad and reducing domestic availability.

By 2024, underlying production challenges persisted, including drought vulnerability and the need for better farming techniques. Coconut prices in Zanzibar rose due to local shortages, increasing demand for imports from the mainland. Simultaneously, the industry saw value addition through diversification into products like coir ropes, while trade data showed sustained high import levels of 870 t and growing exports of 341 t.

Production desiccated coconuts in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Eastern Africa produced 309.1 t of desiccated coconuts, marking a 3.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The most stable year was 2019, with no significant change in production levels.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports desiccated coconuts from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while exports peaked in 2020, representing a 4.1-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 52.5 t of desiccated coconuts, an 82.8% rise compared to 2019. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 21.9% decrease, while the largest surge was in 2018, with exports jumping by 186.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner structure for desiccated coconuts remained highly fragmented. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 3.5% of exports in kind, France for 2.4%, and South Africa for 2.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 8.2% of total export flows, with no single nation achieving a dominant market share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Desiccated coconut exports from Eastern Africa have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, export value reached 297 K $ US, a substantial increase of 488.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 1 098.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 128.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and India—collectively absorbed 60.8% of the total export value of desiccated coconuts from Eastern Africa.

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

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

Imports desiccated coconuts to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Desiccated coconut imports into Eastern Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 587.0 t, down 8.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 706.6 t. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with a 9.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 30.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main suppliers—Indonesia, South Africa, and Vietnam—together accounted for 74.8% of total desiccated coconut imports in kind to Eastern Africa.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, desiccated coconut imports into Eastern Africa were valued at 1 134 K $ US, reflecting a 22.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 928 K $ US, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 1 494 K $ US. The most substantial decline was in 2019, with a 37.9% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a 33.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia was the largest supplier of desiccated coconuts to Eastern Africa in value terms, accounting for 41.7% of imports, followed by South Africa at 30.8% and Vietnam at 9.0%. Together, these three countries made up 81.6% of total import value.

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

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