Industry Economy & Market

Coconut export earnings top historic USD 1Bn milestone

For the first time in the nation’s history, Sri Lanka’s export revenue from coconut and coconut-based products has officially surpassed the one billion US dollar mark. According to data from the Export Development Board, earnings surged to USD1,033.9 million between January and October 2025, marking a remarkable 43.83% growth compared to the corresponding period in 2024

A defining factor in this achievement is the strategic pivot from exporting raw coconuts to prioritizing high-value-added products. Global demand has intensified for specialized Sri Lankan exports, including liquid coconut milk, virgin coconut oil, coconut cream, desiccated coconut (DC), activated carbon, and coco peat. These coconut-based industries now represent 7.2% of the country’s total export portfolio.

This milestone is the result of the collective determination of coconut industrialists and the unified leadership of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. Furthermore, the government highlighted the essential role played by the Sri Lankan public, who supported the “scientific necessity” of minimizing domestic waste of coconut to ensure more coconuts were available for the export market.

The government has set an ambitious target to reach USD 2.5 billion in coconut export revenue by 2030. To ensure sustainable growth, the following initiatives have been launched: Expansion of cultivation : The establishment of the “Northern Coconut Triangle” is underway, as part of a broader plan to cultivate 36,000 new acres of coconut land.

Domestic efficiency : Encouraging the efficient household use of coconut by-products, such as coconut water, shells, and husks and promoting alternative products like coconut flour. Policy Intervention : The government implemented a timely policy allowing the limited import of coconut milk and raw nuts exclusively for re-export, which protected the export industry’s momentum while preventing shortages in the local market.

Reflecting on the achievement, the Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, recalled his January 2025 call to action, where he urged the nation to optimize consumption and reduce waste to reach this goal. The Deputy Minister expressed his profound gratitude to the media and the public for popularizing the “coconut story,” noting that the widespread awareness of efficient consumption was instrumental in achieving this record-breaking revenue.

Source: Daily News