Free of charge

Desiccated coconuts: situation in the Red Sea could ease

January 29, 2025 at 12:50 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

MANILA. With the ceasefire in the Gaza war, the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have agreed to temporarily cease their attacks on non-Israeli ships; this announcement is fuelling hope, but is currently still being treated with great caution.

Search for new suppliers

As the market experts at T.M. Duché report, prices for desiccated coconuts on the Philippine domestic market have risen slightly in recent months, mainly due to the short supply and high demand. Exports increased by 14.2% to 15,079 mt in November 2024 compared to the same month last year. Most suppliers also recorded an increase in exports in December, although one major producer suffered a noticeable decline after laying off 3,200 employees; according to T.M. Duché, this poses significant challenges for many customers and increased demand for new suppliers is therefore observed in Q1 2025.

Meanwhile, coconut oil prices are extremely volatile. According to the market experts, they were around USD 2,000/mt at the beginning of January, slightly above the prices of December 2024. November exports increased by 4% compared to the same month last year, with the US and the EU being among the largest buyers.

Fragile ceasefire

In the Red Sea, the Houthi rebels announced after the ceasefire in the Gaza conflict that they would temporarily cease attacks on non-Israeli ships, but would resume them as soon as the US, UK or Israel launch further attacks. Cautious optimism is spreading in the market, but shipping companies remain cautious for the time being.

Shortage of goods keeps prices high

The experts at JCP International also emphasise the considerable shortage of raw materials. Important producing countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam were severely affected by the La Niña weather phenomenon, which caused destruction and crop failures with heavy rainfall, flooding and typhoons. The processing factories in these countries are now finding it difficult to obtain the necessary raw materials; in Indonesia and Vietnam, capacity utilisation is said to be as low as 10-20% in some cases. The shortage of goods and high prices are therefore likely to dominate the first half of 2025, according to JCP.

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
Mar 16, 2026
NEW DELHI/BRUSSELS. The war in Iran is having a noticeable impact on Indian peanut exports, as large quantities are usually shipped to the Gulf region. NAFED is currently unable to sell its stocks. EU imports have fallen compared with the same period last year.
Nuts
Mar 16, 2026
CANBERRA. Rainfall in Australia’s almond-growing regions has brought harvesting to a halt, just as it had begun in some areas. Measures to dry the crop must be taken. The export season is almost over.
Nuts
Mar 16, 2026
SACRAMENTO. Exports hit the highest monthly record for February as the Almond Board of California’s latest Position Report highlights. Yet the war in Iran is overshadowing prospects. Concern is also that this summer will be very hot and dry.
Nuts
Mar 12, 2026
ORDU/REUS. Preliminary crop estimates are highly encouraging for hazelnuts in Turkey. The TMO has adopted a controversial new sales approach. Market prices are rather surprising. Exports have failed to make a recovery. Global production prospects are good for 2026/2027.