Demand for coconuts and coconut-based products is rising in the United States, China, and other major markets. As a result, Vietnam’s coconut exports are gaining strong growth momentum. In addition to robust export growth, the industry is undergoing a clear shift toward deep processing. This is generating higher added value and gradually strengthening its billion-dollar position in the global market.
Vietnam’s coconut industry is experiencing its strongest growth phase in years as global demand continues to rise. In 2025, coconut export revenue exceeded USD 533 million. This represented an increase of more than 36% compared with 2024.
The coconut industry exports a wide range of processed products, including packaged coconut water, coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and cosmetics. As a result, the industry’s total export value reached approximately USD 1.15 billion when these products were taken into account. This achievement made Vietnam the world’s third-largest exporter of coconuts and coconut products, behind only the Philippines and Indonesia.
Vietnam’s coconut exports
Notably, the industry’s growth is no longer driven primarily by raw coconut exports as in the past. Instead, it is increasingly shifting toward high-value, deep-processed products of Vietnam’s coconut exports. This transition is a significant step forward. It helps the industry enhance its competitiveness, reduce dependence on raw exports, and generate greater value from each unit of production.
Coconuts continued to perform strongly in the first quarter of 2026. As a result, they were among the key contributors to the more than 31% increase in Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports. Fresh coconut exports alone generated approximately USD 65 million, up 26% from the same period in 2025. The figures indicate that international demand for Vietnamese coconuts remains strong. This is particularly evident as consumers increasingly favor environmentally friendly and naturally sourced food products.
The industry’s breakthrough performance is not solely the result of growing market demand. The achievement also reflects years of restructuring within the industry. Over time, producers have standardized raw-material areas, expanded certified cultivation zones, diversified products, and improved quality. These measures have enabled Vietnamese coconuts to better meet the increasingly stringent requirements of major importing markets.
Within this growth story, the United States and China have emerged as the two most important drivers of Vietnam’s coconut exports.
In the United States, rising demand for healthy, low-sugar, and naturally sourced products has significantly boosted consumption of coconut-based products. The United States currently accounts for nearly 26% of Vietnam’s total coconut export value. Packaged coconut water, organic coconut water, and various coconut-derived products are gaining popularity. They are becoming increasingly common in retail chains and the beverage industry.
Desiccated coconuts from Vietnam
In 2026, many Vietnamese coconut exporters continued to report a sharp increase in orders from the United States. Demand was particularly strong among supermarket chains and beverage manufacturers in the premium segment. This suggests that significant growth opportunities remain. Consumer demand for natural food products continues to expand.
Meanwhile, China has become a new growth engine following its official approval of fresh coconut imports from Vietnam through formal trade channels in August 2024. The development is widely regarded as a major boost for the industry. China currently consumes around 4 billion coconuts annually, including approximately 2.6 billion fresh coconuts.
With advantages such as geographical proximity, shorter transportation times, and lower logistics costs, Vietnam’s coconut exports are rapidly expanding their market share in China. Many Vietnam’s fruit businesses believe that Chinese import demand will continue to grow strongly in the coming years. This is especially likely as import regulations become more established and predictable.
Despite these opportunities, Vietnam’s coconut exports still face several challenges. Price volatility can affect market stability, while linkages between businesses and farmers remain relatively weak. In addition, meeting international requirements for quality, traceability, and sustainable production continues to be a challenge for many producing areas.
Maintaining long-term competitiveness will require continued investment from the industry. Priority areas include standardized production zones, planting-area codes, organic cultivation, and advanced processing technologies. At the same time, stronger cooperation among farmers, cooperatives, enterprises, and buyers will be essential. This will help stabilize supply and increase product value.
Fresh coconuts from Vietnam
According to the Vietnam Coconut Association, the industry should clearly distinguish between two major segments: coconuts for industrial processing and fresh coconuts for direct consumption. Processed raw-material coconuts currently account for about 80% of total export revenue and enjoy relatively stable prices. Meanwhile, fresh coconuts account for roughly 20% but are experiencing rapid growth due to strong demand from markets such as the United States and China.
Vietnam currently has approximately 200,000 hectares of coconut plantations, concentrated mainly in the Mekong Delta. Rising coconut prices and expanding market opportunities are helping improve farmers’ incomes. As a result, many localities have begun expanding coconut-growing areas. They are also replacing less profitable crops with coconut cultivation.
Notably, more than 60% of the country’s dried coconut output is now processed into high-value products such as coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut milk powder, and activated carbon. This transformation is expected to provide a solid foundation for further export growth. It will also enhance the industry’s overall value and strengthen Vietnam’s billion-dollar position in the global coconut market in the years ahead.
Vietnamese source: https://tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn/xuat-khau-dua-viet-nam-but-pha-cung-co-vi-the-ty-usd-tren-thi-truong-the-gioi-156830.html
If you are interested in Vietnamese coconut exports, please contact us:
Company: Agrideco Vietnam Co., Ltd.
Address: No 02, Alley 325 Kim Nguu, Vinh Tuy Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel/Kakao Talk/Whatsapp: +84 989 649 804
Website: https://agridecovietnam.com
Email: agridecovietnam@gmail.com