In 2025, prices of desiccated coconut across major producing countries reached record highs, marking the peak of a strong two-year upward trend. The Philippines experienced the most notable surge, with prices climbing steadily from US$ 2,315/MT in January to US$ 3,835/MT in September, reflecting tight supply and robust export demand. Sri Lanka continued to command the highest prices among the three countries, peaking at US$ 4,437/MT in May before moderating to US$ 3,745/MT by September as supply conditions improved. Indonesia, which entered 2025 with elevated prices at around US$ 3,200/MT, saw a gradual decline through the year, stabilizing near US$ 2,975/MT by September due to increased domestic production and softer global demand. Despite these slight corrections, 2025 remained a year of exceptional price strength driven by sustained demand from the global food and confectionery industries and continued pressure from high raw material costs.

This surge represents a significant escalation compared to 2024 and 2023, when prices were relatively moderate and stable. In 2023, average prices ranged between US$ 1,400–1,800/MT, showing little variation, while 2024 marked the beginning of a strong recovery as tightening coconut supplies and higher copra prices pushed desiccated coconut values upward. By December 2024, prices had already climbed to US$ 2,278/MT in the Philippines, US$ 3,200/MT in Indonesia, and US$ 3,733/MT in Sri Lanka—setting the stage for the sharp escalation observed in 2025. Overall, the 2025 price pattern reflects a transition toward market stabilization after a period of extraordinary gains, with signs that the global desiccated coconut market may be nearing the top of its price cycle as supply improves and importers adjust procurement strategies.

During January–August 2025, both the Philippines and Indonesia experienced a similar trend in the desiccated coconut market—a decline in export volume but a sharp increase in export value, reflecting the global price escalation that characterized the sector in 2025. The Philippines exported 109,425 MT of desiccated coconut, down by 7.1% from 117,769 MT in the same period of 2024, while Indonesia’s export volume fell by 5.8% from 77,536 MT to 73,030 MT. Despite these contractions, export earnings from both countries increased significantly, signaling strong market demand and rising international prices.

The Philippines’ export earnings rose by 72.3%, from US$ 186.2 million to US$ 320.8 million, with the average export price nearly doubling to around US$ 2,935/MT. Indonesia, meanwhile, recorded an even stronger 87.0% surge in export value, from US$ 105.4 million to US$ 197.2 million, translating to an average export price of approximately US$ 2,700/MT. This suggests that both countries benefitted from favorable international prices, although the Philippines maintained its edge in terms of higher average export prices and overall export revenue, confirming its position as the leading global supplier of desiccated coconut.

In terms of destinations, Germany emerged as the largest export market for Indonesia, accounting for US$ 24.2 million or about 12% of total export value, followed by Singapore (US$ 14.9 million) and Russia (US$ 13.5 million). European countries collectively represented a major share of Indonesia’s export earnings, including the Netherlands (US$ 9.9 million), Poland (US$ 7.7 million), and Turkey (US$ 7.7 million), underscoring Europe’s continuing role as a key consumer base for processed coconut products. Outside Europe, significant markets included Egypt (US$ 8.6 million), Brazil (US$ 5.9 million), China (US$ 6.0 million), and Thailand (US$ 7.8 million). Exports to these destinations reflect Indonesia’s diversified trade footprint across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

In Indonesia, the increase in export value was largely driven by price escalation rather than volume growth, as exporters faced challenges in raw material availability and cost competitiveness. The domestic coconut industry continued to experience pressure from strong demand for copra and coconut oil, which diverted part of the raw material supply from the desiccated coconut sector. Additionally, higher domestic prices for fresh coconuts, influenced by competition from the coconut oil industry, constrained production capacity for desiccated coconut processors. Nevertheless, the rise in global prices helped sustain Indonesia’s export earnings, mitigating the impact of reduced export volume.

During January–July 2025, global trade in desiccated coconut showed a mixed performance, marked by a sharp divergence between import volumes and values. World import volumes fell by 19.1% to 184,564 MT, reflecting weaker supply availability from major producers and tighter global inventories. However, the total import value surged by nearly 50% to USD 487.3 million, indicating significant price escalation driven by supply constraints, higher production costs, and strong demand in key markets. This pattern suggests that while buyers reduced physical purchases, they faced substantially higher unit prices compared with the same period in 2024.

Major consuming markets such as the EU and the US demonstrated resilience in demand. The EU27 increased its import volume by 12.0% to 58,693 MT and recorded an exceptional 83.7% jump in import value, signaling both stronger consumption and higher price points. Similarly, US import volumes rose modestly by 2.3% to 24,050 MT, yet import values expanded by 71.0%, underscoring intensified price pressure and steady industrial usage in the food, bakery, and confectionery sectors. Overall, the 2025 data indicate that desiccated coconut markets are shifting into a high-value environment driven by tight supply, with advanced economies absorbing price increases more readily than the global average.