Coconut industries in Philippines and India pivot to high-value exports

The coconut industries in the Philippines and India are undergoing significant transformations, shifting focus from raw production toward high-value, processed products to boost global competitiveness.

In the Philippines, coconut exports surged by 34.4% to reach $3.6 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly half of the nation's total agro-based exports. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working to expand market access for the 2.8 million farmers supported by the sector. DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque stated that the administration aims to maximize the industry's potential by producing competitive, high-value products through international business-matching and trade missions.

Similarly, India is transitioning its coconut sector from traditional plantations to a value-added growth engine. As the world's top producer, accounting for approximately 31.24% of global production, India is implementing initiatives like the Coconut Promotion Scheme to enhance productivity and sustainability. The Indian export basket is expanding beyond coconut oil and copra to include higher-value items such as virgin coconut oil.