Desiccated coconuts market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for desiccated coconuts in Southern Asia increased from 31 756 t in 2018 to 37 779 t in 2019, before contracting to 31 948 t in 2020. It then gradually recovered, reaching 34 564 t by 2023. This initial expansion was supported by the commencement of large-scale exports to the USA and Europe in 2018, facilitated by government initiatives and the Coconut Development Board to boost value-added coconut product exports.

Production volumes fluctuated significantly, peaking at 62 811 t in 2019 before declining to 49 843 t in 2023. The latter decrease coincided with climatic challenges, including early rains and droughts in key growing states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, which affected coconut quality and supply. Concurrently, export shipments grew, with over 55% destined for the UAE, USA, and Europe by 2023, indicating robust external demand.

Market demand was reinforced by the food industry, particularly from bakeries and confectionery, which drove consumption of desiccated coconut powder. The market scope broadened with the emergence of new product segments such as coconut flour and processed coconut water. Furthermore, cultivation area for coconuts expanded by 26% in Gujarat in 2024-25, indicating a geographical shift in production that could influence future supply chains.

Production desiccated coconuts in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of growth, desiccated coconut production in Southern Asia experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 62 811 tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 48 660 tons, representing a 22.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 23%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 58.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of expansion, the value of desiccated coconut production in Southern Asia contracted. In 2019, production value peaked at 203.4 million US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 160.3 million US dollars, marking a 21.2% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 19.1%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 6.0%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, at 49.2%.

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

Exports desiccated coconuts from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of desiccated coconuts from Southern Asia showed significant volatility over the period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 25 773 tons, but rebounded sharply in 2019 to reach a peak of 45 132 tons—a 1.8-fold increase from the previous year. By 2020, exports had fallen to 31 526 tons, representing a 30.1% decrease compared to 2019. The most substantial year-on-year growth occurred in 2019, with a 75.1% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Asia's desiccated coconut exports were distributed across a diverse range of trading partners. The United States accounted for 12.2% of export volumes, Canada for 6.7%, and Egypt for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 24.5% of total export flows, indicating a broad and fragmented market base.

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

The value of desiccated coconut exports from Southern Asia declined in 2020, reaching 81.463 million US dollars—a 6.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 74.156 million US dollars, which marked a 16.5% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with export values rising by 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market for Southern Asia's desiccated coconut exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States held a 17.3% share of export value, Canada accounted for 9.7%, and Germany for 5.9%. Combined, these three countries represented only 32.9% of total export flows, with the remaining 67.1% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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 desiccated coconuts to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, desiccated coconut imports into Southern Asia declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 20 099 tons, but by 2020 they had fallen to 14 814 tons—a sharp decrease of 26.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes decreased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, at 12.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Asia's desiccated coconut imports came from a wide array of source countries. Indonesia was the largest supplier, accounting for 22.0% of import volumes, followed by Malaysia at 16.9% and the United Arab Emirates at 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 49.8% of total import flows.

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

Desiccated coconut imports into Southern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, import value reached its highest point at 32.936 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 24.253 million US dollars—a substantial decrease of 23.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values dropped by 25.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia formed the core group of suppliers for Southern Asia's desiccated coconut imports in value terms. Indonesia accounted for 25.5% of import value, the United Arab Emirates for 14.1%, and Malaysia for 12.2%. Together, these three countries represented 51.8% of total import flows.

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

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