Report compiled for the 2007 Paris International Agricultural Fair
All you need to know about coconut
Production
Global oil production
Asia is the main production zone, with 84% of global output and relatively stable yields (5 tonnes of nuts/ha).
In Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania, copra is still the only source of income and trade for smallholders; moreover, copra trading helps to maintain regular transport services between small islands.
The main copra oil exporting countries are the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exports account for less than half of output (1.3 million tonnes/year), most of which is consumed directly in producing countries. The European Union is the leading importer, followed by the United States.
Global copra oil production totals around 3 million tonnes/year. The figure has been relatively stable in recent decades, which is the sign of a real crisis given the sustained growth in other vegetable oils. In recent years, production of palm kernel oil, another lauric oil, has caught up and overtaken that of copra oil, helping to satisfy the growing demand for this type of oil.
|
Area planted in 2005 (million hectares) |
|
|---|---|
|
Indonesia |
2.71 |
|
Philippines |
2.23 |
|
Other countries |
4.47 |
|
Total |
9.41 |
|
Coconut oil in 2005 (million tonnes) |
|
|---|---|
|
Production |
3.19 |
|
Exports |
2.14 |
Coconuts: a growing market
Copra (dried coconut kernel) was an export product and source of income for many countries in the 20th century, but is increasingly seldom exported in its original state. It is mostly oil that is sold nowadays.
However, the market for whole coconuts is booming.
The desiccated coconut market is also thriving.