
RATCHABURI — The multi-billion dollar aromatic coconut water industry is facing upheaval as Vietnam enters the competition for the Chinese market. It has been revealed that some producers have been processing coconuts from outside the Ratchaburi geographical indication (GI) area for export.
Mr. Narongsak Chuensuchon, Managing Director of NC Coconut Co, Ltd. and Chairman of the Ratchaburi Provincial Industrial Council, told “Prachachat Business” that both whole coconuts and coconut water are currently very popular worldwide.
China, the main market, receives more than 60 percent of Thailand’s production of flavored coconuts, with bottled processed beverages earning up to 20 billion baht or 550 million US dollars annually.
Recently, it has been announced that Vietnam is starting to export coconut water to compete in the Chinese market, similar to durians. So if Thailand does not maintain its quality, it could lose the market to Vietnam.

“Until now, Thailand has been the leading market for aromatic coconuts, but now Vietnam is pushing into the market. The hot and dry weather has led to a record-breaking price increase: Producer prices are 40 baht ($1.10) per coconut, consumer prices are 70-90 baht ($1.9-2.5) per coconut and international prices are reaching 200 baht per coconut.
Recently, some growers have been processing and exporting coconuts from outside the Ratchaburi region that do not meet the GI standard for aromatic coconuts, which affects the quality of sweetness and flavor and could affect the confidence and popularity of Thai aromatic coconuts in international markets.”
Fresh aromatic coconuts require high quality products as the flavor cannot be artificially enhanced. If processing plants use aromatic coconuts with a sweetness level of less than 7-8 Brix for export, this can have a detrimental effect on the product.

Therefore, it would be beneficial for the regulatory authorities to monitor this matter to ensure the quality and continuous growth of Thai aromatic coconut products in the global market. However, with the approaching rainy season, production is expected to increase in July-August 2024 and prices will steadily decrease to around 25-27 baht per coconut, a good and fair price for farmers and beneficial for export companies.
Ratchaburi was the first province to receive the GI label for aromatic coconuts in 2018. These coconuts must be grown in seven designated districts according to specific production methods: Damnoen Saduak, Wat Phleng, Mueang Ratchaburi, Ban Pong, Bang Phae, Pak Tho and Photharam.
Participants must register as members of the Ratchaburi Aromatic Coconut Producers Association and have traceability documents. The GI standard specifies a sweetness level of 6.5-8.0 Brix, whereas the general industry standard for Thai aromatic coconuts is 7-8 Brix.

NC Coconut Co., Ltd. produces and distributes real flavored coconut products under the NC Coconut brand, offering fresh flavored coconuts and processed products such as coconut jelly in whole coconuts, coconut jelly in cups and coconut pudding, mainly for export to markets such as China, Hong Kong, the United States and Australia, with China being the largest market. They normally export more than 10 containers per week with a production of over 100,000 coconuts per day.
In 2024, sales fell by 80 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year due to the severe drought caused by El Niño. It is expected to return to normal in the third and fourth quarters of 2024.
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