What are the trade regulations for fresh coconuts?
The United States: The US currently does not have standards specifically for the imports of coconuts. There is also currently no definition for what “damaged” coconuts would entail, and inspections are usually done based on the visual quality of the fruits.
Europe: Exporting fresh coconuts in Europe will have to meet the general requirements for fresh fruits and vegetables, which include minimizing the use of pesticides and contaminants and preventing any physical damage to the goods. Coconuts are least likely to suffer from pests due to their hard shell compared to other fruits, but excessive chemicals injected into the trees could affect the quality of coconut water.
Young coconuts are often bleached to maintain a white appearance, but the usage of any of these chemicals or antioxidants is not allowed in the EU. Like the US, there are no set regulations for fresh coconuts, but exporters should comply with the visual requirements of any other fruits, which include being free of pests, foreign smell/taste, foreign matter, etc.
For a detailed guideline on the exportation of young coconuts, please refer to the ASEAN standard here: