Addressing unsustainable practices in the global coconut supply chain: Farmers are trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty

Coconuts grow in tropical climates, with more than 70% of global coconut oil production coming out of the Philippines and Indonesia. But unlike other foods grown in the tropics such as palm oil, coffee and cocoa, coconut trees are not associated with the same level of deforestation. That is not to say that coconut production is free from unsustainable practices. Coconut plantations have been linked to biodiversity loss, and according to Gregory Bardies, executive director of the Sustainable Coconut Partnership, farmers are ‘trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty’. The recently launched Partnership is on a mission to wipe out unsustainable practices in coconut production by establishing best practices, impact programmes, and harmonising industry requirements for supply chain partners. The Partnership was founded by food and beverage majors ranging from Barry Callebaut to Nestlé, Unilever, Ferrero, AAK and Upfield. Affiliate members include NGOs Earthworm Foundation, Kaleka and ...