15 Places Where Coconuts Grow in Very Large Quantities

WHERE COCONUTS GROW
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Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a perennial crop that is usually found in the tropics. It can be found in more than 90 countries, it is a life-sustaining species in fragile coastal and island ecosystems.

When you think of coconuts, you think of the tropics, islands, summer, beaches, and vacations. Somewhere sunny and relaxing with coconuts hanging over your head like the Sword of Damocles. That’s correct.

Coconut palms thrive in climates that fall in the 25 degrees Northern latitude or 25 degrees Southern altitude. They prefer humid and warm areas.

Places as hot as Florida. Other places where coconuts grow in large quantities include the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, Australia, Indonesia, and Hawaii. This article focuses on 15 statistically verified places where coconuts grow in large quantities.

I culled these Places Where Coconuts Grow in Very Large Quantities from the report by the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database. It is data of the

How Coconut Trees Grow

The early settlers and colonists used the coconut for water, fuel, food, oil, rope, and so much more.

When coconuts fall from the tree when they are ripe, that is where coconuts grow. Another way coconuts grow is that they are planted by the force of nature.

To plant one, you need to know how to plant a tree. Choose a fallen nut. Make sure that you can hear water slosh from it when you shake it. Don’t remove the husk but soak it in water for two or three days then it’s time to plant.

Plant it with the pointed end downward and the other end attached to the coconut tree upward. Do not submerge it in the soil but about one-third of the nut should be above the soil. Water it frequently to keep the soil moist. However, you must make sure that the soil does not retain the water you pour before watering it again.

Coconut trees are not like some other slow-growing plants. By three months, fruits should be visible that will mature in about six months, and fully ripen in nine months. At this point, the multiple uses of the coconut tree have multiple uses for you.

You should also read up on the factors affecting plant growth while you’re on it.

Do Coconuts Grow on Palm Trees?

Many people who ask where coconuts grow wonder if coconuts grow on palm trees. I will explain that quickly: There are more than 2,000 species of palm trees. One of these species grows coconuts: the coconut palm tree. Other palm trees have different fruits that grow on them such as palm nuts, dates, acai berries, and peach palms.

Places Where Coconuts Grow in Very Large Quantities

  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Philippines
  • Brazil
  • Sri Lanka
  • Vietnam
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Mexico
  • Thailand
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Bangladesh
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ghana
  • China

1. India

India is a very popular place where coconuts grow. India is one of the places with the world’s largest concentration of coconut palm trees. 

She is one of the world’s largest producers of coconut, with a turnout of 11,706,343 tonnes (11,521,459 long tons) in 2018, 2029, and 2020.

They practice large-scale intensive coconut farming in states such as Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu but there are also areas of traditional coconut cultivation one of which is the Coromandel coast.

2. Indonesia

Indonesia is also among the countries with the world’s largest concentration of coconut palm trees. In 2022, Indonesia’s coconut production turnout was around 2.87 million tons with Riau and North Sulawesi provinces producing the highest. It is also one of the world’s leading producers of coconuts.

The coconut palm is economically important in Indonesia contributing to the livelihood of smallholders. 98% of the plantations belong to these shareholders.

It has formed a large part of their culture, especially their cuisine. The shell is not thrown away. It is processed into meat, coir peat, coconut coir, and coir yarn.

3. Philippines

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database, the Philippines was the third-largest producer of coconut in 2018.

The coconut tree originated in the Philippines, southern India, and Sri Lanka.

At Washington University, St. Louis, a plant evolutionary biologist took samples of over 1000 coconuts collected from all over the world. A look at the DNA revealed

4. Brazil

where coconuts grow
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 South America also produces a lot of coconuts from various countries. Brazil is one of its best. Coconut production contributes to the national economy of Brazil.

According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database in December 2009, it is the world’s fourth-largest producer of coconuts, producing 2,759,044 tonnes in 2009.

Brazil has several coconut industry segment coconut husk, coconut shell, coconut meat, coconut milk, coconut water, and of course coconut oil.

5. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s warm, humid environment is perfect for coconut palm trees.

Coconut production contributes immensely to its national economy. Sri Lanka has three varieties, the tall variety, the dwarf variety, and the King coconut variety. Sri Lanka produced 2,623,000 tonnes of coconuts in 2018.

Coconut palms grow in most parts of Sri Lanka except in higher elevations. Most of Sri Lanka’s coconut is concentrated in the triangle formed by the territories Puttalam, Kurunegala, and Gampaha known as the Coconut Triangle.

The coconut palm has many contributions to Sri Lanka. It:

  • Beautified the place. 
  • Contributed economically and socially.
  • Plays a sizeable contributory role in the Sri Lankan diet.
  • Has a big part in the export processing industry of the country.

6. Vietnam

Located in east Asia, coconut palm trees line the coasts of Vietnam. It is ranked the 6th largest producer of coconuts in 2009 by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

About 147,210 acres are used for coconut farming in Vietnam. The Mekong Delta accounts for more than 75% of the concentration, while the South Central provinces (from Da Nang back) make up approximately 20%. In Vietnam, the use of coconut is taken a bit further – they are used to build houses.

7. Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is located north of Australia, and plenty of thriving coconut trees.

Coconut palm trees can be found all over making Papua New Guinea the 7th largest producer of coconuts in the world!

This is because the Island of Papua New Guinea has all the right conditions for coconut trees – warmth, humidity, and plenty of rainfall.

8. Mexico

Mexico has optimal growing conditions for the coconut palm tree. Located in North America, coconut palm trees are not native to Mexico. They were probably brought to Mexico during the colonial period when travelers from the Philippines brought them to the west coast of Mexico or they floated from the coastal area of origin to Mexico.

Jalisco, on the west coast of Mexico, is one of the largest producers of coconuts in the country. The west coast has a larger provision of coconut trees than the east coast of Mexico.

9. Thailand

To Thais, coconuts are not a treat, but they are an essential crop, an integral part of normal living used by everyone from cooks to carpenters. Every aspect of the coconut has millions of uses for the Thais – They include:

  • Food product
  • Health benefits
  • Tourism
  • For shelters
  • Furniture
  • Fuel
  • Mosquito repelling
  • Making utensils and toothbrushes

In Thailand, coconuts or palms, or husks are used in some way. It is the world’s sixth-largest producer of coconuts. It produced 1,721,640 tonnes in 2009.

10. Malaysia

Coconut palm trees line the coastal regions of Malaysia. A beautiful sight to behold. It is the 10th largest coconut-producing country with Selangor, Johor, Perak, Kelantan, Sabah, and Sarawak as its major coconut-producing states.

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in Malaysia is the fourth most important in terms of grown area after oil palm, rubber, and paddy, contributing 0.08% of total export earnings in 2006.

11. Myanmar

Coconuts can be found in western and southern Myanmar.

In 2020, the production volume of coconuts in Myanmar was about 541 thousand tons. Coconuts were introduced to Myanmar by the Portuguese in the 16th century and since then, they have had a variety of uses. In cuisines, they are made into coconut oil for frying. The same coconut oil makes soap, candles, and lubricants. Coconut shells were used to make cutleries. And the husks are used to make ropes and mats.

The outbreak of World War II hurt the growth of the coconut industry in Myanmar. However, the industry persists.

12. Bangladesh

You can find coconut palm trees in large quantities in southern Bangladesh.

The various parts of the coconut have several culinary uses for the people of Bangladesh.

  • Oil for frying, cooking, and making margarine.
  • Coconut meat is fresh or dried as a diet.
  • Coconut milk is added to curries and other dishes.
  • Coconut flour is produced from it and is used in baking.
  • Dried coconut is also used as the filling for many chocolate bars.

This large production of coconut is because Bangladesh’s land is very suitable for growing coconut. A good variety of coconut grows in Bangladesh with exportable Quality. Most of the coconut grows in the coastal area of Bangladesh.

13. Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, coconuts are a big part of the culture. And just like Bangladesh, and other places where coconuts grow in large quantities, it has a lot of use here. The coconut oils, water, and meat have been consumed by natives for centuries for internal health and skin nutrition.

The Dominican Republic is native to many other tropical plants such as mango, papaya, lime, banana, passion fruit, and avocado. Coconuts are also one of the Dominican Republic’s main exports.

The popular vacation destination of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is referred to as the “Coconut Coast.”

14. Ghana

In Ghana, about 36,000 hectares of land are dedicated to coconut plantations. Ghana is currently producing more than 400,000 metric tons of coconut every year.

This industry has been instrumental in alleviating poverty and providing means of livelihood. However, most of its coconut is consumed within Ghana with less exported.

Coconut has various uses in Ghana such as food (coconut milk and cream, coconut oil). Coconut trees are also used for their fuel and fiber.

Recently, there’s been a deliberate effort by the Ghana Government to answer to the demand of the increasing international coconut markets. Globally, coconut trees have proven themselves to be natural resources that must be conserved.

15. China

where coconuts grow
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If you are counting places where coconuts grow in large quantities but have not included China, your list is incomplete. From Eastern China up to Quanzhou, you can find thriving coconut palm trees.

Many new, significant opportunities are emerging in the Chinese coconut industry as the market develops. Around 40,000 hectares of land are currently used for coconut plantations in China, with more than 90% of that land being in Hainan, the country’s only industrial-scale coconut production region.

Luckily, climate change and deforestation haven’t been affecting our coconut trees.

Conclusion

There are more than 90 countries where coconuts grow, with most of the world’s production concentrated in Asia and the Pacific. Coconuts are grown in more than 90 countries, with Asia and the Pacific hosting the majority of global output.

The Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea combined account for nearly 80% of the total area of coconuts planted worldwide out of the 15 locations where coconuts grow in considerable amounts that I stated. Trees are important.

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Precious Okafor is a digital marketer and online entrepreneur that got into the online space in 2017 and since then have developed skills in content creation, copywriting and online marketing. He is also a Green activist and hence his role in publishing articles for EnvironmentGo

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