Lok Sabha Question No. 407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Export of Coconut Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 407 ANSWERED ON 04/02/2025

## EXPORT OF COCONUT PRODUCTS

## 407. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to increase the export share of coconut products, especially  coconut oil,  to  ensure  that  India  plays  a  larger  role  in  the  global  coconut market;

(b) the details of the measures taken by the Government to adopt to prevent the uncontrolled export of coconut cake and other coconut by-products that might negatively impact the domestic coconut market and farmers; and

(c) whether the  Government considering any initiatives or schemes to help  coconut farmers increase their production for export purposes, without affecting the domestic market and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) & (c) The Government of India through Coconut Development Board under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare undertakes various activities for promoting export of coconut products (including coconut  oil). These  activities  include  issuance  of  Registration  Cum Membership  Certificate  (RCMC),  market  intelligence,  seminars  and  workshops,  buyer  seller meets, participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, assistance for quality certification, brand building awards for export excellence, recommendations for policy making related  to  export  and  import  of  coconut  products.  In  addition  to  the  above  activities,  the Government of India through Coconut Development Board is also implementing two schemes for  improving  the  production  and  productivity  of  coconut  namely  'Integrated  farming  for productivity improvement' scheme and 'Replanting and rejuvenation' scheme.

As a result, during the last five years from 2019 to 2024, the production of coconut has increased by 9.4% from 20308.7 million nuts to 22226.3 million nuts and the productivity has increased from 9345 nuts/hectare to 9527 nuts/hectare. Further, the export of coconut products, has increased from Rs. 1762.17 crores in 2019-20 to Rs. 3469.44 crores in 2023-24.

(b) The  Government  of  India  through  Coconut  Development  Board  actively  monitors  the export  and  import  of  various  coconut  products  including  coconut  cake  and  other  coconut  byproducts. In recent years, no uncontrolled export of coconut cake and other coconut by-products (excluding coconut shell) that might negatively impact the market and farmers has come to the notice of the Government. There is a sharp increase in the export value of coconut by- products to Rs.1485.59 lakhs in 2023-24, out of which export value of coconut shell is Rs.1467.14 lakhs. This can be attributed to the rising global demand for activated carbon made from coconut shell. This shell was once a discarded by-product but has now gained significant value, making it a major export item. The growing demand for sustainable materials has also increased its use in utilities like ice cream cups, bird feeders, and utensils, replacing plastic and paper alternatives, especially  in  developed  countries.  These  developments  have  benefited  farmers  by  making coconut  shells  also  a  profitable  commodity.  The  details  of  export  of  coconut  cake  and  other coconut by-products in the last five years are as below:

| Coconut Cake   | Coconut Cake         |
|----------------|----------------------|
| Year           | Value (in lakhs Rs.) |
| 2019-20        | 8.03                 |
| 2020-21        | 22.01                |
| 2021-22        | 40.82                |
| 2022-23        | 24.46                |
| 2023-24        | 9.20                 |

| Other Coconut By-Products (Coconut Shell, Unworked Other Residues of Coconut or Copra)   | Other Coconut By-Products (Coconut Shell, Unworked Other Residues of Coconut or Copra)   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                                                     | Value (in lakhs Rs.)                                                                     |
| 2019-20                                                                                  | 117.10                                                                                   |
| 2020-21                                                                                  | 133.65                                                                                   |
| 2021-22                                                                                  | 167.12                                                                                   |
| 2022-23                                                                                  | 115.18                                                                                   |
| 2023-24                                                                                  | 1485.59                                                                                  |

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