Coconuts make a splash in expanding Chinese market

Just days since China authorized imports of fresh coconuts from Cambodia, fruit dealer Chen Peizhu has already received several orders from Chinese buyers. "Cambodian coconuts are high-quality and have competitive prices. Their fragrant coconut variety is in short supply in China," said Chen, general manager of Yuhua Hongda, a fruit trading company based in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Chen plans to start by importing five containers of coconuts each month, the majority of which will go to trendy coconut chicken hotpot restaurants or be made into bottled coconut water, a healthy drink popular among young Chinese consumers. "There is a huge gap in the supply of coconuts, coconut water and other related products in China. We expect huge demand for imported coconuts," he said. Coconuts are not new to Chinese consumers. Coconut milk produced by Coconut Palm Group has long been a household drink, appearing on family banquets alongside Coca-Cola and Pepsi, though its ...