Free of charge

Desiccated coconuts: oversupply puts pressure on prices

February 18, 2026 at 12:16 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

MANILA. High stocks and weaker demand are putting pressure on prices for Philippine desiccated coconuts. Coconut oil is proving more stable. Reforestation programmes are expected to increase production in the medium term.

Desiccated coconuts under pressure

The Philippine market for desiccated coconuts is showing signs of increasing oversupply, which is putting noticeable pressure on prices. Although official export prices remain stable, the actual market dynamics are significantly weaker. Many buyers already have sufficient supplies for the first quarter of 2026, which means that new contracts are only being concluded hesitantly. At the same time, lower demand for coconut milk from China is dampening demand for raw materials, as the experts at T.M. Duché state in their latest report.

Additional capacity from new processing plants in the Philippines is exacerbating the situation. In an already well-supplied market, additional volumes are meeting with subdued demand. According to reports, older stocks are also entering the market with significant price concessions. These aggressive offers are causing short-term price increases and undermining official price indications. The result is an uncertain spot market with increased volatility. Despite fundamentally solid long-term prospects for coconut products, the short-term price trend remains fragile.

Coconut oil proves resilient

In contrast, the market for coconut oil is comparatively robust. International prices are stable, which should be seen in the context of an overall firm mood for vegetable oils. Particularly striking is the widening gap with palm kernel oil, which reflects the structurally tighter supply situation for coconut oil. Domestically, prices along the value chain also remain at elevated levels.

However, there are shifts on the demand side: in China, palm oil is losing ground to cheaper alternatives such as soybean and rapeseed oil. In the USA, imports of lauric oils remain stable overall, but with relative declines in coconut oil in favour of palm kernel oil, according to T.M. Duché.

In the Philippines, the Philippine Coconut Authority is continuing its reforestation programmes, which should lead to increases in production in the medium term. In the short term, however, available quantities continue to depend heavily on weather conditions. Meanwhile, the stabilisation of container freight rates, which according to Drewry have become more predictable again after years of extreme fluctuations, is providing some relief.

View more
price chart, desiccated coconuts, Sri Lanka
price chart, desiccated coconuts, Indonesia
price chart, desiccated coconuts, Philippines 
price chart, coconut oil, Indonesia
more price charts

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Jul 2, 2026
ORDU/BRUSSELS. Exporters in Turkey are venting their frustration with the EU on social media. Recent import statistics highlight that their fears a justified. Crop quality and the TMO base price will set the agenda for hazelnuts in the next few weeks. Financial challenges are also prevailing.
Nuts
Jul 2, 2026
IRVING/BRUSSELS/BEIJING. As the recent Position Report issued by the American Pecan Council shows EU member states have started to buy US in-shell pecans. The EU has set an import rate quota that affects US pecans. Chinese processors are not happy with the delay on the EU’s decision to raise the maximum level for nickel in pecans.
Dried Fruit
Jul 2, 2026
ROSEVILLE. The California Prune Board has welcomed the EU/U.S. tariff agreement announcement, which is set to improve market access for selected American agricultural and fishery goods - including prunes and prune juice - from 1 July 2026.
Nuts
Jul 1, 2026
GAZIANTEP. Market perceptions changed for pistachios in Turkey in June. Demand and the prospects for the 2026 crop are driving sentiments and prices.