“Coconut buyers should check origin, Brix, fat percentage, and maturity”

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India’s coconut industry is grappling with inconsistent availability of mature coconuts, says Arnold Menezes, founder of Naturya Food Products, a frozen coconut products manufacturer and exporter. “Neglected farm maintenance from prior low prices, adverse weather impacting pollination, excessive harvesting of tender coconuts, and monkey menace have made it difficult to find good mature quality coconuts for several months this year.”

Menezes observes these issues spanning major southern regions, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. “Many farmers stopped tending their farms until prices improved six to seven months ago, prompting renewed cultivation efforts. However, coconuts are slow-growing, so any yield changes may take one to two years to materialize.”

© Naturya Food Products

According to Menezes, “Over half of Indian coconuts are currently processed into products like coconut oil, desiccated powder, coconut milk, grated and shredded coconuts, and frozen products.” He explains, “Frozen grated coconuts lock in nutrition and freshness, which is crucial for markets like Europe and the USA, where whole fresh coconuts face shelf-life and logistics challenges. Frozen coconut also takes up half the space compared to fresh coconuts, reducing shipping costs and handling complexities. Freezing immediately after processing preserves quality and nutrients, offering a convenient, shelf-stable product that meets growing demand worldwide.”

Currently, Europe, the USA, and the Middle East continue to be major export markets, Menezes observes. “Frozen grated and shredded coconuts are mainly used by hotels, caterers, and institutional buyers in these markets because they save time, reduce waste, and provide consistent quality. Labor shortages and time constraints have also led more users to prefer ready-to-use frozen coconut.”

© Naturya Food Products

But Menezes warns of malpractices. “Sometimes fiber left after coconut milk extraction is sold as grated coconut, so buyers need to check fat percentage, Brix level, and taste. ” He also advises international buyers to pay attention to coconut origins: “South Karnataka and Kerala coconuts are good for oil, desiccated powder, and frozen grated coconut because of their high fat content and nutty flavor. North Karnataka coconuts suit edible copra or dehydrated coconut production, and some Tamil Nadu regions produce coconuts ideal for copra and semi-husked exports.”

Looking ahead, Menezes shares plans to scale up frozen coconut production within the next four months to enter new export markets, noting strong international demand. “Despite the growth of processed coconuts, there is still some unfamiliarity about adulteration and the quality of raw materials. That’s where Naturya wishes to fill the gap and ensure trust while reducing coconut sourcing hassles, saving time and reducing waste,” he concludes.

For more information:
Arnold Anson Menezes© Naturya Food Products
Naturya Food Products
Tel: +91 89 71 465 456
Email: [email protected]
www.naturyafoods.com

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies