Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupPalm fruit/seed (specialty tropical non-timber forest product)
Scientific NameLodoicea maldivica
Growing Conditions- Wet tropical biome conditions within its native Seychelles range
- Dioecious palm with extremely slow maturation and multi-year fruit development
Consumption Forms- Souvenir/curio items made from the hard outer shell (where legally sourced)
- Limited niche use of kernel/endosperm and derivatives (regulated under CITES annotation for this species)
- Edible kernel/endosperm (reported, but not a mainstream commercial food commodity)
Grading Factors- Legal provenance and required labelling/traceability
- Physical integrity (no cracks, major damage, or visible decay)
- Documentation completeness (permits/certificates as applicable)
Planting to HarvestDecades to first fruiting (reported ~25–50 years to maturity/fruiting); fruits develop over multiple years.
Market
Fresh double coconut (coco de mer; Lodoicea maldivica) is an ultra-niche palm fruit/seed product with legal supply concentrated in a single origin: Seychelles. International trade is shaped less by mainstream food demand than by conservation status, permit controls, and regulated souvenir/curio and specialty uses. The species’ native range is restricted to the Seychelles islands of Praslin and Curieuse, creating an inherent single-origin supply concentration risk. As a result, global trade volumes are limited, and compliance (traceability, licensing, and CITES-related documentation) is a primary market determinant.
Major Producing Countries- 세이셸Endemic species with native range restricted to Praslin and Curieuse; supply and trade are regulated.
Major Exporting Countries- 세이셸Primary (and effectively sole) legal export origin; domestic licensing and CITES-related controls shape exportability.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Large, double-lobed seed enclosed by a fibrous/fleshy outer envelope; commonly described as the largest seed in the plant kingdom.
- Very long fruit development period reported (multi-year), limiting supply responsiveness.
Packaging- Regulated labelling/traceability is a key commercial requirement in Seychelles for dealing in mature nuts; documentation and authenticity labeling are commonly emphasized in legitimate trade.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Managed collection of mature fruits/nuts from restricted natural range -> authorized handling and labelling -> permitting/documentation for legal trade (as applicable) -> export logistics (typically low-volume shipments) -> specialty retail/collectors/tourism channels
Demand Drivers- Tourism-driven souvenir/curio demand for hard outer shells in destination markets
- Collector and specialty botanical interest (high unit value, very low volume)
- Limited niche demand for kernel/endosperm and derivatives where legally permitted and documented
Shelf Life- Hard-shelled seed component is comparatively durable versus typical fresh fruits, but handling requirements are dominated by legality, documentation, and conservation controls rather than cold-chain optimization.
Risks
Regulatory And Conservation Compliance HighGlobal supply is concentrated in Seychelles and the species is subject to conservation-driven trade controls (including CITES Appendix III listing and national licensing conditions for dealing in mature nuts), creating a high risk of shipment disruption, seizure, or market access loss if documentation, labelling, and permits are not fully compliant.Buy only from licensed dealers; require traceability documentation and any required CITES-related permits/certificates before contracting or shipping.
Supply Concentration HighBecause the species’ native range is restricted to the Seychelles (notably Praslin and Curieuse), there is no practical alternative origin diversification for authentic product, amplifying vulnerability to policy tightening, conservation measures, or localized shocks.Treat as single-origin specialty supply; avoid forward commitments without verified legal availability and contingency plans for substitution products.
Biological And Regeneration Constraints MediumVery slow life history (long time to maturity and multi-year fruit development) limits the ability of supply to respond to demand or to recover quickly from overharvesting or habitat disturbance.Prioritize legally sourced product from managed programs; align purchasing with conservation and sustainable harvesting protocols where available.
Sustainability- Single-origin biodiversity and conservation sensitivity (endemic to Seychelles; native range limited to specific islands)
- Overharvesting/poaching pressure on mature nuts/seeds and implications for natural regeneration
- Habitat protection and fire/invasive-species pressures in limited natural stands
Labor & Social- Illegal harvesting/illicit trade risk (poaching) given high curiosity value and restricted legal supply; reputational and compliance exposure for buyers
FAQ
Where is fresh double coconut (coco de mer) produced?Its native range is restricted to Seychelles, specifically the islands of Praslin and Curieuse, which makes Seychelles the core (and effectively sole) origin for authentic product in trade.
Why is international trade in double coconut controlled so tightly?Because Lodoicea maldivica is conservation-sensitive and listed under CITES (Appendix III, Seychelles), and Seychelles also applies licensing and labelling conditions for dealing in mature nuts, buyers and sellers must meet strict documentation and compliance requirements.
What is the scientific name of double coconut (coco de mer)?The scientific name is Lodoicea maldivica.