Coconuts have become a highlight in Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export activities in the early months of this year due to increased demand from markets, driving prices up.
According to the Vietnam Coconut Association, in the first six months of this year, the export value of coconuts reached 216.3 million USD. This is an increase of 40.1% compared to the same period last year. The price of coconuts in Vietnam currently is 7.26 USD/kg.
In addition to Vietnam, coconut prices are increasing sharply worldwide as harsh weather conditions in leading producing countries have disrupted supply, directly impacting many industries, from food and beverages to cosmetics.
Coconut export is a bright spot in the first half of 2025.
Recently, Vietnam has opened up many major markets for coconuts, including the Chinese and American markets. This has created a domino effect, causing many other markets to increase their search for Vietnamese coconuts.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam now has 200,000 hectares of coconuts, with an annual production of 2 million tons. One-third of the area meets organic standards under American and European standards. Coconuts are mainly grown in the Central region and the Mekong Delta.
The Vietnamese coconut industry has made quite a positive transformation recently. It has become a key national industrial crop, significantly contributing to economic stability, development, and the improvement of farmers’ lives.
Ben Tre coconut has been granted a geographical indication, with 133 growing area codes and over 8,300 hectares for export. Currently, Vietnam has about 600 enterprises engaged in production and processing. Vietnam ranks 4th in coconut exports in the Asia-Pacific region and 5th in the world. In the development plan for 2030 by the agricultural sector, coconut production is expected to reach 2.1-2.3 million tons per year.
To achieve the goal, Mr. Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, believes that it is necessary to implement solutions to limit the export of raw materials, replacing them with deep-processed products.
The main goal that the association aims for is to enhance foreign investment attraction and utilize domestic resources to develop more deep processing factories for coconut products, build a brand, and improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese coconut products in the international market.
Regarding traceability and geographical indications, the Association has proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to approve the construction of a digital map aimed at integrating information such as raw material regions, price, etc.
The association is also collaborating with the Trade Promotion Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to establish a national brand for coconut, aiming for 20% of coconut enterprises to achieve national brand recognition in the near future.