Coconut exports surge on activated carbon demand

Coconut product exports are set to cross Rs 2,000 crore in value terms in FY 2019 due to higher prices for activated carbon in the international market. Till January 2019, exports of activated carbon (produced from coconut shells) had reached 80,467 tonnes with a value of Rs 1,123.64 crore. Total exports of overall products was recorded at Rs 1,812.55 crore. Prices of activated carbon reached Rs 140/kg in FY 2019 compared to Rs 100/kg in the previous year. The product is in strong demand in markets like US, UK, Germany, Japan and Korea, where it is used to purify water, gold and air.