Export of coconut and coconut products (excluding coir and coir products) fetched a record Rs. 1,450 crore during 2015-16, an increase of 10.50 per cent over the previous financial year.
The achievement comes at a time when the overall picture of merchandise export from India is not too bright and shows an increase of around 10 per cent in Rupee terms.
A statement issued by the Coconut Development Board said that the past few years had seen significant growth in the export of coconut and coconut products. Compared to the year 2014-15, volume and value in the export of coconut oil, desiccated coconut and activated carbon showed significant increase. The increase in the export of desiccated coconut is 63 per cent, coconut oil 23 per cent and that of activated carbon 13 per cent in terms of quantity compared to the previous year. The increase in export of virgin coconut oil during the first half of 2015-16 could not be continued in the remaining part.
In spite of the demand for organic virgin coconut oil, the order for exports could not be met owing to limited production of certified organic virgin coconut oil.
It comes at a time when the overall picture of merchandise export is not too bright