Export of coconut and coconut products touch a peak of Rs 1450 crore

KOCHI: The export of coconut and coconut products (excluding coir and coir products) have touched a new high of Rs 1450.24 crore in 2015-16. The shipments have shown a rise of around 11 per cent from a year earlier. The past few years have seen significant growth in the exports of coconut and coconut products.

The volume and value in the export of coconut oil, desiccated coconut and activated carbon have shown a significant increase. While desiccated coconut exports went up 63 per cent, the increase was 23 per cent in the case of coconut oil over the previous year. Activated carbon export showed a lesser growth of 13 per cent. Last year shortage of coconuts had hit the activated carbon exports.

The export of virgin coconut oil could not maintain the growth in the first half in spite of the demand for organic virgin coconut oil. The export targets could not be met due to limited production of certified organic virgin coconut oil, according to a press statement from Coconut Development Board.

The board feels there are greater prospects for export of coconut oil, virgin coconut oil and desiccated coconut in the year 2016 - 17 considering the fact that the prevailing domestic price is comparatively less than the international price of coconut, copra and coconut oil.