Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Europe is working to connect Europe-based buyers and distributors with Pacific coconut and copra exporters, as global demand continues to rise. For Pacific Island Countries, coconuts represent both an important household staple and a significant economic opportunity, with growing potential in international markets.
Copra - the dried meat of the coconut - remains one of the most valuable products derived from the plant. It is a key source of coconut oil, which is widely used across industries including food and beverages, cosmetics, soaps, and biofuels. Once oil is extracted, the remaining copra cake is also in demand as animal feed, highlighting the crop’s role as a versatile and dependable commodity.
Recent reporting in Papua New Guinea has highlighted that farmers in Bougainville are experiencing record prices, with copra selling at over K300 per bag - the first such spike in fifty years. Farmers and exporters in the region have responded by ramping up production, with estimates of up to one million tons being supplied monthly to local buyers. This surge is consistent with international trends, where constrained supply from major producers such as the Philippines, India, and Indonesia has coincided with rising demand in health-conscious consumer markets.
Global industry data also points to steady long-term growth. The global coconut copra market is projected to expand from approximately US $4.8 billion in 2024 to around US $7.2 billion by 2033, with growth being driven by demand for virgin coconut oil, coconut water, and coconut flour in health, beauty, and specialty food segments. These shifts create new opportunities for Pacific producers to expand into higher-value markets and attract investment into processing and packaging.
Against this backdrop, Jodie Stewart, PTI Europe’s Trade Commissioner, is focused on building stronger market access for Pacific producers.
“The outlook for coconut and copra remains positive. Global demand is expected to stay strong, particularly in health-conscious markets such as Asia, Europe, and North America. There are increased demands globally for products such as virgin coconut oil, which is popular in health and beauty markets, desiccated coconut and coconut flours which are used in gluten-free and specialty food products. Pacific countries are very well positioned to benefit, provided we continue to collectively invest in quality control, value-added processing, and market access.”
Through its network, PTI Europe is helping to connect Pacific exporters with new opportunities in Europe, with a focus on attracting investment into value-added processing and strengthening supply chains. This support aims to ensure Pacific businesses can capture more of the returns from the current market upswing, while also meeting the stringent standards required by international buyers.
The coconut and copra industry continues to be a critical pathway for Pacific communities to drive export growth, create employment, and deliver long-term, sustainable economic benefits.
For more information, please contact PTI Europe.
