According to the Customs Department, in the first four months of this year, Vietnam’s import turnover of coconut products reached $7.2 billion, a staggering increase of 1,031% compared to the same period last year, more than elevenfold.
As a result, coconut has become one of the 13 fruits and nuts with the highest import turnover in the first four months of this year.
Explaining the surge in import turnover in recent months, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Vegetables and Fruits Association, said that the demand for imported processed products from the EU market has increased sharply. At the same time, exports to the US and China have also increased significantly since fresh Vietnamese coconuts were officially granted permission to enter these two markets.
While demand from markets is on the rise, domestic raw material sources have decreased, unable to meet processing needs. Record-high coconut prices in the country are also due to supply scarcity, forcing businesses to seek additional raw materials from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Coconut prices in Vietnam are at an all-time high. Photo: Dong Khoi Newspaper |
According to Mr. Nguyen, Vietnamese businesses are importing coconut water, coconut meat, and dried coconut to process products such as coconut milk and coconut charcoal for export.
In 2024, Vietnam’s export turnover of coconuts and coconut products reached nearly $1.1 billion, with fresh coconuts contributing $390 million. Vietnamese coconut products are present in more than 40 countries and territories, with the US, China, and the EU being the largest markets.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the coconut growing area in Vietnam is about 200,000 hectares, with an estimated output of 2 million tons per year. The Mekong Delta is the largest coconut-growing region, accounting for 88% of the total area nationwide. Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long are the key coconut-growing provinces.
Notably, coconut prices have soared to record highs in the past time.
According to the Ben Tre Coconut Association, as of June 23, the price of dry coconut raw materials fluctuated between 210,000-215,000 VND per dozen (each dozen includes 12 coconuts), while the price during the same period last year was only 60,000-85,000 VND.
Similarly, the price of organic dry coconuts also surged to 240,000-255,000 VND per dozen, while the price of shelled dry coconuts stood at 12,500-13,500 VND per kg. White coconut meat was priced at 35,000-38,000 VND per kg, green Xiêm coconuts at 175,000-185,000 VND per dozen, and common fresh coconuts at 15,000-17,000 VND per coconut…
According to the Ben Tre Coconut Association, the price of dry coconuts in the province is at its highest in the past five years. The main reason is the impact of saltwater intrusion and blackheaded caterpillar infestations, which severely damage coconut gardens, reducing yield and output. This has led to a significant increase in coconut prices.
Tam An
– 05:45 24/06/2025
9 Coconut Plantations Prepared for Global Export
“Tra Vinh’s Vice Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Le Van Dong, proudly announced that the province boasts nine coconut-growing regions, spanning over 1,240 hectares. These regions have successfully met the stringent requirements of the protocol on phytosanitary regulations for exporting fresh Vietnamese coconuts to China.”
