Activated carbon continued to dominate coconut products exports, accounting for 67% of the total export of coconut products other than coir, worth ₹4,688.89 crore
India’s coconut exports has registered a 62 per cent increase in 2025-26, touching ₹7,038.25 crore compared to the previous year, driven by a diversification of the export basket and growing demand for value-added coconut products.Activated carbon continued to dominate coconut products exports clocking ₹4,688.89 crore, constituting around 67 per cent of the total export of coconut products other than coir. The export quantity amounted to around 1.8 lakh tonnes and the demand was mostly in diversified sectors from gold mining, water purification, air purification, removal of carcinogenic substances such as poly-fluoroalkyl compounds, energy production through capacitors, the cosmetic industry, pharma industry, etc.Deepa D. Nair, Chief Executive Officer, Coconut Development Board, attributed the export performance to increasing international demand for coconut products, enhanced processing capabilities in the country, expanding market access through multiple FTAs, increasing product matrix, demand for plant based foods and vegan diets, etc.“India’s export basket has diversified significantly, with products such as activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut milk powder and coconut water gaining prominence,” she said.Coconut exports, which were once largely concentrated in the GCC region, have now expanded to more than 155 countries. Major importers include the US, UAE, Sri Lanka, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, the UK and the Netherlands, she added.The Coconut Development Board is also focusing on ensuring the quality of exported products. It has joined the Integrated Assessment Framework and is spearheading initiatives to ensure quality standards for coconut products in association with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.The sustained growth of the sector over the past decade is encouraging and is expected to continue during the coming decade, she added.Meanwhile, World Coconut Day 2026 and the national awards distribution ceremony will be held on September 2 at the Mount Carmel Convention Centre in Thiruvananthapuram with Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to inaugurate.The theme of World Coconut Day 2026 is ‘Coconuts in Times of Uncertainty: Securing Food, Energy, and Livelihoods.’ The theme assumes significance amid growing challenges from climate change, economic uncertainties, volatile markets and increasing pressure on natural resources.World Coconut Day celebrations in India are organised with the participation of farmers, entrepreneurs, processors, exporters, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders.Published on August 31, 2026
