Desiccated coconuts market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The desiccated coconut market in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 65 235 tonnes in 2018, supported by growing coconut production in key countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, alongside increasing consumer preference for natural and healthy ingredients. Market volume then declined to 56 931 tonnes by 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted supply chains, even though demand for healthy products remained strong and sales shifted toward digital channels.

A recovery followed, with volume rising to 58 884 tonnes in 2022, driven by the gradual reopening of supply chains and new regulations on labeling and traceability that enhanced product transparency. Increased demand for functional foods and dietary supplements, along with investments in modern processing facilities and public‑private partnerships, further stimulated the market during this period.

In 2023, market volume decreased to 53 050 tonnes, coinciding with the implementation of stricter organic certification and labeling rules to align with international standards, which may have temporarily affected market operations. Concurrently, consumer diet trends such as keto, paleo, and plant‑based diets continued to favor desiccated coconut usage, and distribution expanded through supermarkets and online platforms, improving end‑user access.

Production desiccated coconuts in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a decline in desiccated coconut production for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 37 115 tonnes, marking a 15.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 45 948 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of desiccated coconut production in Latin America and the Caribbean dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 29 397 thousand US dollars, down 13.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 20.8%, translating to an average annual decline of 7.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 44 118 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.9%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 22.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports desiccated coconuts from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, desiccated coconut exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, the region exported 15 956 tonnes, representing an 11.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 970 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for desiccated coconut exports from Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 55.4% of exports in volume, Canada for 11.9%, and the Netherlands for 3.4%. Together, these three countries represented 70.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Desiccated coconut exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 12 638 thousand US dollars, a 9.3% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 5.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 615 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Canada, and Italy emerged as the main markets for desiccated coconut exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms. The United States accounted for 63.2% of export value, Canada for 9.8%, and Italy for 2.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 75.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports desiccated coconuts to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported 35 773 tonnes of desiccated coconuts, a 4.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 36 592 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States were the leading sources of desiccated coconut imports to Latin America and the Caribbean. Indonesia accounted for 31.8% of imports in volume, the Philippines for 23.3%, and the United States for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 65.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported desiccated coconuts valued at 55 804 thousand US dollars, a significant 15.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 14.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 48 490 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 68 928 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 29.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States stood out as the main sources of desiccated coconut imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms. Indonesia accounted for 35.4% of import value, the Philippines for 35.1%, and the United States for 6.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 76.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020