About Coconut
India is among the top coconut producers. Every part of the palm is used: tender coconut, copra, oil, desiccated coconut, coir and shell charcoal.
Where Coconut Is Grown in Tamil Nadu
The main coconut districts of Tamil Nadu are Coimbatore, Pollachi, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Kanyakumari. Tamil Nadu leads India in banana and is a top producer of coconut, turmeric, jasmine, tapioca, urad and groundnut. Its Cauvery delta grows rice, its western districts coconut and turmeric, Krishnagiri mango, and Madurai and Hosur its famous flowers.
Season in Tamil Nadu
Harvested every 45–60 days year-round. Exact arrival dates in Tamil Nadu depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Coconut Is Sold in Tamil Nadu
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers' markets) allow direct sales to consumers.
Key markets for Coconut in Tamil Nadu
Other major markets in Tamil Nadu
- Koyambedu, ChennaiFruits, vegetables, flowersAboutExplore
- ErodeTurmericAboutExplore
- Mattuthavani, MaduraiJasmineAboutExplore
- TheniBananaAboutExplore
- KrishnagiriMangoAboutExplore
Government Buying in Tamil Nadu
MSP for milling and ball copra. In Tamil Nadu, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC)Paddy procurementAboutExplore
- Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Milling copra is graded by moisture (ideally around 6 per cent), oil content and freedom from mould; well-dried copra from Kangeyam fetches a premium. Ball copra from Tiptur is graded by size and the white colour of its kernel. Tender coconuts are sold by size and water content to city vendors and packaged coconut-water brands.
Copra and coconut-oil prices follow the size of the Kerala and Tamil Nadu crop, the price of competing oils such as palm oil, and festival demand. Root wilt disease in Kerala and drought in Tamil Nadu reduce output; government buying of copra at MSP through NAFED supports prices in glut years.
Virgin coconut oil, coconut milk powder, neera (fresh sap), coconut sugar and activated carbon from shells have grown into important value-added products, many exported.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export coconut across India, including from Tamil Nadu. Tap a name for details.
- Marico LtdParachute; copra buyerAboutExplore
- KLF Nirmal Industries Pvt LtdCoconut oilAboutExplore
- KERAFEDKerala coconut cooperativeAboutExplore
- Coconut Development BoardKochiAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Tamil Nadu
New varieties, crop advice and seed for coconut growers in Tamil Nadu come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
Coconut in Other States
Kerala · Karnataka · Andhra Pradesh · Odisha · Goa · West Bengal
Related: Coconut – all India · Tamil Nadu · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer