10 World’s Largest Coconut-Producing Countries –There are 10 countries as the World’s Largest Coconut Producers According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2022. Coconut has multiple benefits for its diverse uses, ranging from food, medicine, construction/furniture to the cosmetic industry, and is considered one of one of the most useful plant species in the world, and is often referred to as the tree of life.
Most of the parts of trees including the fruits, stems, leaves can be processed into some useful products to humans. Some of the derivative products from coconut, namely Coconut water (The refreshing liquid inside young coconuts), Coconut flesh (The white flesh inside a mature coconut can be enjoyed fresh, dried (called copra), or grated), Coconut milk (Made by grating coconut flesh and squeezing out the liquid, coconut milk is a creamy and flavorful base for soups, curries, and stews), Coconut oil (Extracted from dried coconut flesh, coconut oil is a popular cooking oil), Coconut sugar (A natural sweetener derived from the sap of coconut flowers), Coconut lumber (The tall, straight trunks of coconut palms can be used for building furniture, fences, and even houses), Coconut leaves (The long, green leaves of the coconut palm are used for thatching roofs, making baskets, and weaving mats).
Coconuts are often clustered as “dwarf coconut” or “tall coconut”. Dwarf varieties are self-pollinated and often blossom early. Pollen shedding coincides with the blooming of female flowers. Commonly, dwarf coconut started to bear fruit around the age of 4 – 5 years with stem height approximately 5 meters (m), sometimes more. Based on life cycle, the generative phase of the plant is more than 25 years. Furthermore, the stems, leaves and fruit are relatively smaller than tall varieties coconuts and are thought to be less productive and less tolerant to poor growing conditions. Tall varieties blossom slower and are cross-pollinated. Commonly, tall coonut begins to bear fruit at around 5-8 years of age with a stem height of up to 25 meters (m) or more, in addition the productive age of the plant is more than 35 years.
The dwarf cultivars are usually cultivated for harvesting of young coconut fruits. The kind of dwarf coconuts are ‘Nam Hom’ (Thailand), ‘Yellow- Malayan’ (Malaysia, Ivory Coast), ‘Tembili’ or ‘King Coconut’ (Sri Lanka). Meanwhile, the tall coconuts are usually grown for harvesting of mature coconut fruits. The kind of tall coconuts includes ‘Bali’ (Indonesia), ‘Laguna’ (Philippines), ‘Tahiti’ (Tahiti), ‘West African Tall’ (Ivory Coast), Malayan Tall, and Jamaica Tall. Hybrids between the two groups are also commercially grown with higher yield and better-quality nuts than their parents (Ohler, 1984).
Taxonomically, coconut (Cocos nucifera) belongs to the Araceae family so that it is related to date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), sago (Metroxylon sago), oil palm (Elaeis), and Red Palm (Cyrtostachys lakka). The originality of the area, the origin of this plant are debatable although many people say that coconut comes from Southeast Asia and Melanesia. Coconut trees can grow on sandy soils and are very tolerant of high salinity so it is not surprising that this plant is everywhere because many people can find this plant in many areas, especially in coastal/seaside areas. Biologically, this plant likes areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall (1,500-3000 mm per year).
Years | Harvested Areas | Production of Coconut |
---|---|---|
(Hectares) | (Tons) | |
1970 | 6,674,568 | 26,152,003 |
1971 | 6,972,486 | 28,490,707 |
1972 | 7,061,087 | 29,910,315 |
1973 | 7,105,115 | 27,853,601 |
1974 | 7,276,283 | 26,521,160 |
1975 | 7,380,504 | 30,599,152 |
1976 | 7,718,809 | 33,461,573 |
1977 | 7,971,087 | 31,913,805 |
1978 | 8,167,589 | 32,534,090 |
1979 | 8,515,868 | 31,061,767 |
1980 | 8,724,094 | 32,014,661 |
1981 | 8,887,497 | 33,862,372 |
1982 | 9,040,193 | 33,314,706 |
1983 | 8,990,468 | 32,358,161 |
1984 | 9,099,075 | 31,266,338 |
1985 | 9,350,318 | 35,721,018 |
1986 | 9,572,059 | 38,753,985 |
1987 | 9,743,961 | 38,511,532 |
1988 | 9,853,611 | 37,104,874 |
1989 | 9,837,565 | 38,130,506 |
1990 | 9,939,361 | 43,279,868 |
1991 | 10,109,438 | 44,306,073 |
1992 | 10,092,154 | 45,959,402 |
1993 | 10,363,149 | 47,384,502 |
1994 | 10,584,972 | 48,866,231 |
1995 | 10,677,123 | 50,649,396 |
1996 | 10,762,957 | 49,775,894 |
1997 | 10,711,562 | 50,462,233 |
1998 | 10,542,559 | 49,323,701 |
1999 | 10,579,521 | 49,597,411 |
2000 | 10,643,489 | 51,661,771 |
2001 | 10,909,966 | 52,438,312 |
2002 | 10,791,586 | 54,092,282 |
2003 | 10,854,281 | 54,850,186 |
2004 | 10,927,084 | 55,617,951 |
2005 | 11,026,816 | 58,379,824 |
2006 | 11,088,006 | 58,866,422 |
2007 | 11,467,347 | 62,900,360 |
2008 | 11,405,799 | 61,087,053 |
2009 | 11,435,642 | 62,071,452 |
2010 | 11,604,087 | 61,012,090 |
2011 | 11,755,208 | 59,747,574 |
2012 | 11,854,795 | 62,519,556 |
2013 | 11,282,561 | 62,301,948 |
2014 | 11,045,854 | 61,756,512 |
2015 | 11,160,383 | 60,521,678 |
2016 | 11,032,974 | 59,846,576 |
2017 | 11,131,159 | 58,855,810 |
2018 | 11,144,422 | 65,308,147 |
2019 | 11,309,992 | 63,744,657 |
2020 | 11,298,967 | 62,386,241 |
2021 | 11,307,699 | 63,683,595 |
2022 | 11,049,284 | 62,409,431 |
Source :FAOSTAT, 2024 |
Based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stats), Globally, coconut production worldwide in 2022 is about 62.4 million tons with a planted area of 11 million hectares. The production of 2022 has increased gradually from time to time. In 1970, coconut production was just 16 million tons with a harvested area of around 6.6 million hectares. Overall, it has increased to around 47 million tons from 1970 to 2022.
Continent | Production in 2022 |
---|---|
(Tons) | |
Africa | 1,971,867 |
Americas | 5,081,880 |
Asia | 53,049,425 |
Oceania | 2,306,259 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2024 |
By continent, coconut production in 2022 still dominated in Asian region with output of coconut trees reaching 53 million tons, followed by the Americas at 5 million tons, and Oceania at 2.3 million tons. If viewed from the point of view of the country, several countries become the center of coconut plantations. Because the coconut plant has several benefits, especially in terms of health, many countries are competing to cultivate this plant. The following are some of the world’s largest coconut-producing countries in 2022. This data came from the FAO Statistical Database in 2024.
Rank | Countries | Production of Coconut in 2022 |
---|---|---|
(Tons) | ||
1 | Indonesia | 17,190,328 |
2 | Philippines | 14,931,158 |
3 | India | 13,317,000 |
4 | Brazil | 2,744,418 |
5 | Sri Lanka | 2,204,150 |
6 | Viet Nam | 1,930,182 |
7 | Papua New Guinea | 1,258,149 |
8 | Myanmar | 1,217,442 |
9 | Mexico | 1,119,847 |
10 | Thailand | 679,232 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 |
Indonesia is the world’s largest coconut-producing countries with coconut production reaching 17.1 million tons. In this country, the planted area reaches more than 3.5 million hectares with more than 90% of the area belonging to smallholder plantations. There are several provinces that are the main coconut plantation areas and its area spreads out in many provinces of Indonesia.
In terms of area, there are several important provinces in Indonesia as centers of coconut cultivation. The area with the largest area and production is Riau, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, East Java, and Maluku. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture in 2019 showed that Riau’s copra production reached 390,000 tons, North Sulawesi with 271 tons, Central Sulawesi with 195,000 tons, Maluku with 210 thousand tons, and East Java with 240 thousand tons. There are several types of superior coconut in Indonesia and many Indonesian farmers plant it. The types of coconuts include Green Coconut, Early Entok Coconut, Gading Coconut, Pandan Fragrant Coconut, Kopyor Coconut, Wulung Coconut, Hybrid Coconut, and Red Coconut.
The Philippines is the 2nd largest country after Indonesia as a world coconut-producing country. According to data from FAO in 2022, coconut production reached 14.9 million tons with a coconut plantation area of more than 3 million hectares. The majority of the country’s coconut production is in several regions, namely Davao, North Mindanao, and the Zamboangan Peninsula. Phillippines also exported abroad its coconut in the form of coconut oil, dried coconut, copra meal, and oleochemicals. In 2013 coconut farming in this country experienced a terrible shock, Typhoon Haiyan damaged coconut plantations there and Around 44 million crops were damaged. Economically, it affects 1 million coconut farmers in the country. In Phillipines, there are some popular cultivars of coconut. These are namely Tacunan Dwarf, Laguna Tall, Catigan Dwarf, NAT (Natural Tall).
India is the 3rd largest country as the world’s largest coconut-producing country. In 2022, production reached 13.3 million tons with a land area of more than 2.1 million hectares. There are several states in India that are important areas for coconut cultivation. The area includes the states of Kerala, Tamil Nandu, Karnataka, Andhara Pradesh, and Odisha. Of these regions, the states of Kerala and Karna have the largest coconut plantation area in India. In India, coconut is one of the important plants and it symbolizes purity, fertility, and blessings besides many religious ceremonies in this country that use coconut. In India, there are some popular coconut trees, namely West Coast Tall (WCT), East Coast Tall (ECT), Chandrakalpa (Lakshadweep Ordinary or LCT), Andaman Ordinary (VPM-3), Tiptur Tall, and Kalpa Raksha (Hybrid Variety).
Introduced by Portuguese explorers in 1553 and first planted in the state of Bahia, Brazil became one of the world’s major coconut producers. Brazil is the 4th largest country as the largest coconut-producing country in the world. Its production in 2022 reached 2.7 million tons. The North and Northeast regions of the country are central to coconut production in the states of Bahia, Sergipe, and Ceará. In Brazil, some cultivars/variety of coconut trees includes Green Dwarf (Cocos nucifera var. nana), Yellow Dwarf (Cocos nucifera var. aurantiaca), Malayan Tall (Cocos nucifera var. typica), and King Coconut (Cocos nucifera var. aurantiaca).
Sri Lanka is the 5th largest country as the largest coconut producer in the world. Its production in 2022 reached 2.2 million tons. In this country, coconut is an important commodity. A total of 12% of its agricultural products are from coconut plants with an area of approximately 395 thousand hectares. Furthermore, Srilanka also exported its coconut production and it can generate 423 million dollars to the country’s income. Geographically, the main area of coconut production in Sri Lanka is called the Coconut Triangle, which consist of the districts of Puttalam, Kurunegala, and Colombo. In Srilanka, some popular coconut trees cultivars/ variety includes Tall Coconut (Gon Thæmbili, Nawasi, and Pora pol coconut), dwarf coconut, and king coconut
Vietnam is the 6th biggest producer of Coconut in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of coconut from Vietnam reached 1.9 million tonnes. Geograhically, in Vietnam, Bến Tre is the main regions of coconut cultivation in Vietnam. In this province, the district area with extensive growing area are located Giồng Trôm and Mỏ Cày Nam. Some of the planted coconut trees includes Green Siamese Coconut (Dừa xiêm xanh), Blue Siamese Coconut (Dừa xiêm lục), Red Siamese Coconut (Dừa xiêm lửa), Macapuno Coconut, and Vietnamese Green and Yellow Coconut.
Papua New Guinea is the 7th biggest producer of coconut in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of coconut from Papua New Guinea reached 1.25 million tonnes. Geograhically, in Papua New Guinea, the main region of Coconut in Papua New Guinea are located in East New Britain, West New Britain, Bougainville and New Ireland provinces. These provice contributes 73% of national production. In Papua New Guine, some coconut trees cultivars / variety in this country are Karkar Tall, Rabaul Pompon, Lowland Niuhi, and Spicata Red Dwarf.
Myanmar is the 8th biggest producer of Coconut in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Coconut from Myanmar, 1.2 million tons. Geographically, some growing regions of Coconut in Myanmar are located in Yangon Region and Manaung, Kyaukpyu, and Thandwe in Rakhine State.
Mexico is the 9th biggest producer of Coconut in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of coconut from Mexico reached 1.19 million tonnes. Geograhically, in Mexico, some coconut growing regions are located in Guerrero, Colima and Tabasco. Guerrero contributes 80% of the coconut production nationwide.
Thailand is the 10th biggest producer of Coconut in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Coconut from Thailand reached 679 thousand tonnes. Geograhically, some growing regions of Coconut in Thailand are located in Nakhonpatom, Ratchaburi, Samutsongkram, Samutsakhon provinces in central Thailand.
Food Agriculture Organization (FAO).2022. Production of Coconuts: top 10 producers Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/visualize on 13 July 2024
Directorate General of Plantations, Ministry of Agriculture.2019. Indonesian Plantation Statistics Accessed Through http://ditjenbun.pertanian.go.id/?publikasi=buku-publikasi-statistik-2016-2019
Philippine Statistics Authority. 2019. Major Non-Food and Industrial Crops Quarterly Bulletin, October-December 2019 Accessed via https://psa.gov.ph/non-food/coconut. on 13 July 2021
Sri Lanka Export Development Board. 2020. Coconut Export Performance accessed via https://www.srilankabusiness.com/coconut/about/export-performance.html on 13 July 2021
Ohler., J.G. 1984. Coconut, Tree of Life. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
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Good amount of information concerning coconut... need a pdf soft copy.