Export of coconut & coconut products grow in rupee terms between April-January 2015-16

KOCHI: Export of coconut and coconut products grew in rupee terms for the period April-January 2015-16. Cumulative value of exports of coconut and coconut products from India other than coir and coir products was Rs 1188.27 crore as against Rs. 1092.90 crore during the corresponding period of 2014-15, thus registering a growth of 8.73%.

Activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, coconut oil, dry coconut, desiccated coconut, copra, coconut shell charcoal etc. are the major coconut products exported from India.

Activated carbon accounts for 45% of India's export earnings from export of coconut products. During the first ten months of 2015-16 India exported 51644.61 tonnes of activated carbon worth Rs.531.78 crore. Around 32% of activated carbon exported from India is to European Union countries and around 28% to USA.

Coconut oil export at 6575.98 tonnes is 22% more than that of the same period of last financial year. More than 51% of coconut oil exported from India is to Gulf countries. Around 69% of virgin coconut oil exported from India is to USA. Fresh coconut contributes more than 10%of India’s export earnings India exported 31191.73 tonnes of fresh coconut, more than 63% of which is to the Gulf region. Coconut shell products like coconut shell ice cream cups, coconut shell bird feeder/ bird nest etc. are also gaining popularity in international markets, according to Coconut Development Board (CDB).

Meanwhile, registration cum membership certificates issued by CDB to exporters of coconut products crossed 2000. As on February 25, there are 2038 exporters registered with CDB.