VIETNAM’S COCONUT PRODUCTS: 03 MUST-BUY TYPES OF COCONUT IN VIETNAM

In recent years, coconut-related products have seen a remarkable increase in popularity as the globe moves toward healthier and more organic products. With a vast copra nut area, Vietnam is now one of the ten most productive countries in terms of coconut products. To keep up with the global ever-growing demands, the country has been investing in technology and human resources to step up the export of related products. In this guide, we will walk you through three best types of coconut products to buy in Vietnam. Read on to find out more what you need to know before importing Vietnam Coconut.

1. A glimpse into Vietnam’s coconut kingdom

Located in the south of Vietnam, Ben Tre is renowned as the country’s coconut capital, where local farmers have been subsisting for generations on coconut trees. The province is the center of alluvial soils gathering from the Mekong Delta, thus an ideal place to provide copra nuts in top notch quality and quantity recognized by the world. Ben Tre now boasts the largest coconut-growing area in the country at 74,000 hectares (182,800 acres), of which Giong Trom District hosts more than 17,000 according to MARD.

Compared with other plants, coconut trees in Ben Tre have the highest value. The fruit is used to make everything, from food and drinks to household utensils, fine arts items and to build houses. 

Due to Vietnam’s membership in several new generation free trade agreements in recent years, coconut companies in the country, and in Ben Tre in particular, have had more opportunities to develop not only in the domestic market, but also to expand exports to other countries and territories around the world. Many companies for processing coconut goods (desiccated coconut, virgin oil, charcoal, coir, candy, cleaning soil, handicraft, etc.) have been established in provinces, contributing to the growth of the coconut industry by increasing the product’s value added.

2. Vietnam Desiccated Coconut

Desiccated coconut is made from coconut meat that has had the brown coating removed. According to market demand, the white coconut meat is cleaned and cut into various sizes: fine, medium, flake, or chips. They are also graded by these cutting sizes, for example, fine grade and medium grade where fine grade is smaller particle size than the medium grade. In Vietnam, there are some desiccated coconut products, such as Desiccated coconut high fat fine grade, Desiccated coconut high fat medium grade.

Many minerals and vitamins can be found in desiccated coconut. It may provide the body with essential nutrients such as glucose, acid amino acids, protein, fatty acids, iron, and phosphorus. Desiccated Coconut is suitable for usage as fillers, toppings, and ingredients in biscuits, snack bars, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.

Regarding the production, a thousand nuts should provide around 130 kg of desiccated coconut. This is an arduous procedure since the husk, shell, and skin of the coconut are removed manually or semi-automatically, depending on current technology. The processes of desiccated coconut can be summarized as below:

1. Removal of coconut husk,
2. Removal of coconut shell,
3. Removal of thick brown coconut skin,
4. Washing of white coconut meat to remove foreign material,
5. Blanching of white coconut meat to reduce the number of microorganism to the safe level fit for human consumption within its shelf life,
6. Cutting of white coconut meat into the desired size,
7. Hot air blow drying the grated white coconut meat to reduce the moisture content from 19% to less than 3%,
8. Cooling of desiccated coconut,
9. Sieving of desiccated coconut to separate desiccated coconut as according to the desired size
10. Packing of desiccated coconut.

Desiccated coconut from Vietnam has a delicious and fatty flavor, as well as a pleasant odor and a milky white color. Its quality can fulfill the stringent requirements of markets such as Europe, America, and Japan, among others.

3. Vietnam Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an edible oil made from the kernels of mature coconuts that has become extremely popular in recent years due to its numerous health advantages. Coconut oils are typically available in two varieties – virgin and refined oil. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is produced by cold-pressing the liquid from the coconut meat, later extracting the oil from milk and water and has a milky appearance. 

People prefer using VCO for personal care purposes like hair care and moisturizing skin, lips, eyelashes, makeup, body massage as well as drinking it raw. Because of its creamy and tropical flavor, besides cosmetic use, coconut oil is also used in foods such as vegetable oil (stir-fry, salad dressings, etc.). It is also a good choice if you are adding it to smoothies, coffee, and shakes. 

In Vietnam, many coconut processing companies use a modern VCO production technology that results in high-quality export products, like Organic virgin coconut oil. To improve the quality of Vietnam VCO, a project on extracting coconut oil with non-heating technology was implemented as part of the national program on technology renovation many years ago. With a centrifugal method, no high temperatures, and no chemicals used in the production process, Vietnam VCO quality meets high standards of not only the Asia market but also in other strict markets such as Europe, America, and Japan.

In addition to Virgin Coconut oil, the country also have Crude coconut oil AV 10.

4. Vietnam Coconut Milk Powder

These products could be named differently in the market. Coconut milk powder, coconut powder, creamed coconut powder or dried coconut extract are a few samples. Basically, coconut milk powder is a fine, white powder manufactured through the spray drying process of coconut milk concentrate, which is pressed from ripe fresh coconut meat. The product after all has white color and a nice odor of natural coconut. According to different market demands, Vietnam coconut milk powder has different fat content such as 40%, 60% or over 65%.

2000 coconuts would yield about 1 ton of coconut milk powder. The production of coconut milk powder is as follow: 

1. Breaking the dehusked nuts into halves. The split nuts are deshelled to separate the kernel. 
2. Comminuting the kernel into small gratings using a hammer mill. 
3. Pressing the grantings, continuous screw pressing to extract the milk. The coconut milk thus obtained is filtered by passing through a vibrating screen. 
4. Spray drying the coconut milk into a fine milk powder using a spray dryer. 
5. Packing the final product in Aluminum foil packets in various sizes as per customer requirement.

Coconut Milk Powder is a delicious and nutritious non-dairy creamer. The creaminess and naturally occuring sweetness make it a superstar in the kitchen. There are so many delicious uses for coconut milk powder. It is an excellent ingredient for dry applications, confectionery items, or any recipe that calls for coconut milk, such as creamy soups, smoothies, baked goods, iced drinks, yogurt, sauces, and beverages.

The country also produces Organic Vegan Coconut Milk Powder with specification as below:

• Color: White to Yellow
• Taste and Odor: The color will change from white to yellow by storage conditions (temperature, time). Taste and odor of coconut milk powder.
• Moisture: Max 5.0%
• Fat: 60.0 – 65.0% Max
• Packing: 15-kg laminated aluminum bag and carton box outside.
• Shelf life: 24 months under prefered storage condition.

5. Other Coconut Products Available in Vietnam

In addition to common coconut products above, Vietnam also have Coconut water powder. This instant soluble powder can be used in different products, such as drinks, sauces, soups, etc.

Coconut Water Powder Specification

• State: Fine powder
• Color: White to yellow
• Taste and odor: Characteristics of coconut water.
• Moisture: <= 8%
• Packing: 15kgs in the laminated alumnium bag and carton box outside
• Shelf life: 24 months

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is the liquid extracted from grated and finely ground coconut meat. Coconut milk is widely used in cuisine in many countries. The opacity and rich taste of coconut milk are due to its high oil content, most of which is saturated fat. In Vietnam, Coconut milk can be packed in can for shipment. There are types of coconut milk as below:

Coconut milk 21% Fat

Tetra Pak Coconut Milk Cooking Fat 22 – 24%

Canned Coconut Milk Cooking Fat 17 – 19%

Conventional Coconut Milk 17 – 19%

Coconut Water

Coconut Water is a wonderful beverage, full of nutrients and safe for everyone. This product is widely favored by different markets around the world. In Vietnam, coconut water is processed and packed diversely to export to the world. There are many kinds of coconut water, namely Pure coconut water (Organic and Conventional types), 100% Natural coconut water, UHT Natural coconut water.

Young Coconut vs Mature Coconut

Not only processed into finished product, Vietnam coconut can go through a preliminary process before export. The country can have Young diamond coconut and Mature semihusked coconut.

Viego Global – Your trusted sourcing partner in Vietnam

At Viego Global, we know it’s more than just finding the right Vietnam supplier since every step of the supply chain requires proper implementation in order to ensure Vietnam quality commodities are well delivered to clients. We always try our best to determine the best suppliers based on customers’ needs. During research on potential suppliers, discussion and factory visits, we inspect every single thing from business license, capacity, to past orders as well as the equipment and the workers’ competence. This is why Viego Global makes sure that you can reach the best Vietnam suppliers at the most competitive price.

Apart from Coconut Products, we also provide insights on other Agricultural products from Vietnam. Jump to: Vietnam’s Coffee Market, Vietnam’s Pepper Market, Vietnam’s Cashew Market , Vietnam’s Rice Market and also check many other tips for sourcing from Vietnam.