Verified

King coconut demand outpaces SL’s supply

Sri Lanka is struggling to meet growing global demand for king coconut amid rising consumer preference for natural beverages, Minister of Plantations and Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratna said on Sunday (11) at the ‘King Coconut Village’ programme, according to the Department of Government Information (DGI).

Vidyaratna said: “There is currently a growing global demand for natural, toxin-free products, particularly beverages. Demand for natural drinks is rising, outpacing that of artificial ones. There is significant global demand for this distinctive local king coconut, so much so that we cannot fully meet it.”

“The global market for coconut-based beverages is currently estimated at $ 7 billion. However, Sri Lanka exported nearly $ 9 million worth of king coconuts in 2025,” he said.

“Last year, following extensive discussions, we managed to substantially increase our export volume, by shipping a total of 8.8 million king coconuts, generating nearly $ 9 million in revenue,” he said.

Vidyaratna added: “This specific variety of king coconut is not found in any other country in the world. There are different varieties in India, but not the specific type of ‘Thambili’ (king coconut) we have here in Sri Lanka.”

“Currently, most of our king coconut exports go to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the United States of America (USA) and France also serving as key markets,” he said.

However, fresh king coconut exports reportedly declined by around 33% this year due to external market pressures, according to Coconut Development Authority Chairperson Shantha Ranathunga, as quoted by The Daily Morning.

He further noted: “Through the ‘King Coconut Village’ project, we aim to increase production and export 25 million king coconuts annually by 2030. We expect the initiative to generate $ 30 million in export revenue through value addition and improved packaging.”

“A single king coconut sells for as much as Rs 9,000 in some overseas countries, yet the supply is insufficient,” Vidyaratna added. “We believe expanding cultivation now would help Sri Lanka capitalise on anticipated growth in global demand.”