India’s Coconut Exports Soar 62% to ₹7,038 Crore in FY26

Key Facts

• India's coconut exports rose by 62% to ₹7,038.35 crore (USD 794.70 million) in FY26, up from ₹4,349.03 crore in FY25.
• India accounts for 31.24% of global coconut production, remaining the largest global producer.
• Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh constitute over 91% of India's coconut production.
• The Coconut Development Board (CDB) registered 8,700 coconut product exporters as of July 31, 2026.
• The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹350 crore for the Coconut Promotion Scheme.
• The coconut sector supports approximately 30 million livelihoods, including about 10 million small and marginal farmers.

Background & Context

Coconut is a tropical perennial plantation crop extensively cultivated in India's southern and coastal regions. It serves as a source of food, oil, coir fiber, shell-based products, and industrial materials. India has diversified exports to include value-added products such as virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut water, and activated carbon, used in food processing, cosmetics, and filtration industries.

The Coconut Development Board, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is the statutory body responsible for the integrated development of coconut cultivation, processing, and exports. Efforts focus on improving productivity, promoting value-added products, and enhancing farmer livelihoods. The newly introduced Coconut Promotion Scheme aims to further stimulate growth in the sector.

Why This Matters for Exams

This topic is relevant for competitive exams in agriculture, economy, and geography. Questions often focus on India's role in global agricultural production and exports, government bodies/agencies related to agriculture, and schemes promoting agricultural development.

Understanding the structure of the coconut economy, key producing states, export growth trends, and institutional support mechanisms such as the Coconut Development Board is crucial for policy and economy related questions.

Points to Remember

• FY26 coconut exports reached ₹7,038.35 crore, a 62% increase from FY25.
• Major producing states are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh (91.11% production share).
• The Coconut Development Board is the nodal agency for coconut sector development in India.
• The 2026-27 Union Budget allocated ₹350 crore for the Coconut Promotion Scheme.
• The sector sustains nearly 30 million livelihoods, predominantly small and marginal farmers.
• Important export products include virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut water, and activated carbon.

Practice MCQs

Question 1

1. ₹4,349.03 crore
2. ₹7,038.35 crore
3. ₹5,500 crore
4. ₹6,000 crore

Answer: ₹7,038.35 crore

Question 2

1. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra
2. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal
3. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
4. Kerala, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

Answer: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh

Question 3

1. The Ministry of Commerce
2. The Coconut Development Board
3. The Ministry of Environment
4. The Food Processing Board

Answer: The Coconut Development Board