01 · Global trade overview.
The global coir market is estimated at USD 1.2 to 1.5 billion annually, depending on the scope of measurement and whether downstream products such as grow bags and coir mats are included.[1] Trade volumes for coir pith alone exceed 1.2 million tonnes per year, with the broader coir products category — fiber, chips, mats, geotextiles — adding substantially more.
Three product categories account for the overwhelming majority of traded coir substrate:
| Product | Description | Primary HS codes | Key use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coir pith / cocopeat | Fine, spongy fraction from coconut husk processing, ~70 % of husk mass | 5305.00 | Growing media, substrate |
| Coir fiber | Long bristle fraction, ~30 % of husk mass, brown or white | 5305.00 | Substrate blends, geotextiles, mattresses |
| Husk chips | 10–20 mm pieces cut from whole husk | 5305.00 | Orchids, blueberries, drainage layers |
HS 5305 covers coir and other vegetable fibres (raw or processed but not spun). It also includes sisal and abaca, so Comtrade figures under 5305 are upper bounds for coir specifically.[2]
Wageningen University projects coir growing-media volume rising from 11 million m³ in 2017 to 46 million m³ by 2050, inside a total growing-media market expanding from 67 to 283 million m³.[3] This four-fold growth is driven by the phase-out of peat in European horticulture, the expansion of protected cultivation worldwide and the increasing adoption of soilless production for berries, tomatoes and leafy greens.
02 · Top exporters.
Global coir exports are concentrated in South and Southeast Asia, with India and Sri Lanka supplying roughly 90 % of world coir fiber and pith.[4] Vietnam has emerged as a major fiber exporter, and Brazil and Mexico are growing as Western Hemisphere origins.
Exporter volume and focus
| Country | Product focus | Volume / value context | Key regions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | Pith + fiber | 1.34 Mt exported FY 2024-25, US$ 434 M to 121 countries. 58–82 % of US coir imports by category. | Tamil Nadu, Kerala | IBEF, Coir Board[4] |
| Sri Lanka | Pith + grow bags | US$ 240 M coir exports in 2024. Second largest global exporter. RHP-certified premium segment. | Negombo, Chilaw corridor | EDB Sri Lanka[5] |
| Vietnam | Fiber dominant | US$ 82 M in coir exports to US in first 7 months of 2025. 3,222 shipments recorded. Surging volumes. | Ben Tre province | Produce Report[6] |
| Indonesia | Pith + fiber | Growing exporter. Both substrate-grade pith and raw fiber for geotextiles. | Java, Sulawesi | Industry[1] |
| Mexico | Fiber | Emerging origin with proximity advantage to US West Coast and Southwest. | Colima, Guerrero | Industry[1] |
| Brazil | Pith + fiber | US$ 45.6 M HS 5305 exports in 2025. Emerging processed-substrate exporter. | Ceará (Pecém port) | Comtrade[2] |
Exporter share — US coir imports by origin
Ranges reflect variation by product category (pith, fiber, chips). Vietnam's high end reflects fiber dominance. Source: Volza.[7]
India's dominance is built on scale: Tamil Nadu alone processes millions of coconut husks per year, and the Pollachi – Coimbatore corridor hosts hundreds of coir pith exporters. The country's 1.34 million tonnes of coir exports in FY 2024-25 make it by far the largest origin, with coir pith accounting for approximately 60 % of export value.[4]
Sri Lanka commands a premium position through RHP certification (the Dutch horticulture quality standard), particularly in the European grow-bag segment. The Negombo-Chilaw coastal belt concentrates most of the island's processing capacity.[5]
Vietnam's surge is notable: USD 82 million in coir exports to the US in just seven months of 2025, driven almost entirely by fiber rather than pith. Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta is the hub.[6]
03 · Top importers.
Coir demand is concentrated in countries with large greenhouse sectors, peat-reduction mandates or both. The United States, the Netherlands and Australia together absorb approximately 71 % of global coir trade.[7]
Importer volume and segments
| Country / Region | Volume context | Key segments | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | World's largest importer. 39–48 % of global coir trade. 82,100 t under HS 5305 in 2025. | Greenhouse vegetables, cannabis, nursery, retail garden | Volza, Comtrade[7][2] |
| Netherlands | ~80,000 t/yr cocopeat. Europe's gateway and redistribution hub. | Substrate manufacturing (VPN members), re-export to EU | Volza[7] |
| South Korea | Significant Asia-Pacific importer. Classified outside HS 5305. | Strawberry greenhouses, pepper cultivation | Industry[1] |
| Germany | Growing rapidly, driven by Torfausstieg (peat exit strategy). | Peat reduction mandates: peat-free hobby gardening by 2026, professional as far as possible by 2030 | BMEL[8] |
| Australia | 18,900 t under HS 5305 in 2025. Part of the US+NL+AU 71 % trio. | Nursery, landscape, viticulture | Comtrade[2] |
| Japan | 6,600 t under HS 5305 (most enters under other tariff lines). | Premium horticulture, strawberry production | Comtrade[2] |
| Gulf / UAE | Emerging importer for arid-zone agriculture and landscaping. | Landscaping, date palm cultivation, turf | Industry[1] |
Import volumes — top destinations (HS 5305, 2025)
HS 5305 includes sisal and abaca alongside coir. South Korea is not shown because it classifies most cocopeat outside this code. Source: UN Comtrade 2025.[2]
04 · Trade flow corridors.
Global coir trade follows a small number of dominant corridors, each defined by the exporter's product specialization, the importer's quality requirements and the available shipping routes.
Dominant corridors
| Corridor | Product | Volume context | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India → USA | Pith, fiber, chips | 58–82 % of US coir imports by category | 28–35 d (Suez) or 35–45 d (Cape) | Dominant corridor globally. Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin origins.[4][7] |
| India → Netherlands | Raw pith, semi-processed | Largest European corridor | 22–28 d | Dutch Plantin, Kekkilä-BVB sourcing. Rotterdam port.[9] |
| Sri Lanka → Europe | Pith, grow bags | Premium segment | 20–26 d | RHP-certified. Colombo port to Rotterdam / Hamburg.[5] |
| Vietnam → USA | Fiber | 3,222 shipments (Jan–Jul 2025) | 25–35 d | Fiber surge. US$ 82 M in 7 months. Ben Tre province.[6] |
| Brazil → USA | Pith, fiber | Emerging | 8–9 d (Pecém–Newark) | 3–5x faster than South Asia. Hapag-Lloyd direct.[10] |
| Brazil → Europe | Pith, fiber | Emerging | 12–14 d (Pecém–Rotterdam) | Half the transit from Indian origins. [10] |
The India-to-USA corridor is the backbone of global coir trade. Indian exporters in Tamil Nadu and Kerala ship primarily through Tuticorin, Chennai and Cochin, reaching US East Coast ports in 28 to 35 days via the Suez Canal or 35 to 45 days via the Cape of Good Hope. Red Sea disruptions since late 2023 have pushed more cargo to the longer Cape route, adding cost and transit uncertainty.[4][7]
The Vietnam-to-USA fiber corridor has surged dramatically: 3,222 shipments worth USD 82 million in just seven months of 2025, making Vietnam the fastest-growing coir origin for the US market. This is almost entirely coir fiber rather than pith, reflecting Vietnam's position as a fiber-processing hub in the Mekong Delta.[6]
The Brazil-to-USA corridor is the newest entrant, but carries a structural logistics advantage that no Asian origin can match: 8 to 9 days from Pecém to Newark on Hapag-Lloyd's regular service, compared to 28 to 45 days from India or Sri Lanka. For US buyers managing just-in-time inventory or seasonal peaks, the difference is operationally transformative.[10]
05 · Brazil's position.
Brazil is the world's fifth-largest coconut producer and an emerging coir exporter. The country's position rests on three pillars: raw material availability in Ceará, port infrastructure at Pecém and transit-time advantages to both the Americas and Europe.
Coconut production
Brazil harvested 2,105,345 tonnes of coconuts in 2024 (IBGE Produção Agrícola Municipal).[11] Ceará is the largest producing state, accounting for 28 % of national output (588,500 t). Within Ceará, the municipality of Paraipaba produced 155,899 thousand fruits, ranking second nationally among all municipalities.[11]
This concentration of coconut production within 60 km of the Port of Pecém creates a short and cost-efficient supply chain from husk to port that no other Western Hemisphere origin can replicate.
Port of Pecém
The Port of Pecém handled 706,509 TEU in 2025, a 27 % increase over 2024, making it one of Brazil's fastest-growing container terminals.[12] The port is operated by APM Terminals (Maersk group) and serves as a direct-call hub for major shipping lines connecting to the US East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico and Northern Europe.
Transit time advantages
| Route | Origin | Transit time | Carrier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pecém → Newark | Brazil | 8–9 days | Hapag-Lloyd | APM Terminals[10] |
| Pecém → Savannah | Brazil | 10–12 days | Multiple | iContainers[13] |
| Pecém → Miami | Brazil | 10–14 days | Multiple | iContainers[13] |
| Pecém → Rotterdam | Brazil | 12–14 days | Multiple | Industry [10] |
| Tuticorin → Newark | India | 28–35 days (Suez) | Multiple | iContainers[13] |
| Tuticorin → Newark | India (Cape) | 35–45 days | Multiple | iContainers[13] |
| Colombo → Rotterdam | Sri Lanka | 20–26 days | Multiple | Industry[5] |
For detailed data on coconut production by state and municipality, see the companion page: Coconut production in Brazil: state-by-state data.
06 · Price context.
Coir prices have risen sharply since 2024. Industry reporting indicates a 60 to 70 % increase from January 2024 baseline levels, driven by strong demand from the US and European markets, supply constraints from Indian monsoon variability, and freight-rate volatility.[14]
Price ranges by product and trade term
| Product | Trade term | Price range | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coir pith, raw | FOB India | Industry range | Varies by EC, particle size, buffering | Industry[14] |
| Coir pith, washed & buffered | CIF Europe | EUR 80–130 / m³ | Ready-to-use substrate grade | Industry[14] |
| 5 kg block, wholesale | CIF USA | USD 4.73–6.05 / block | Pallets of 190 units | Industry[15] |
| 5 kg block, retail | Retail USA | USD 12.74–25.00 | Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon | Retail scan[15] |
| Coir fiber, raw | FOB origins | Varies widely by grade | Brown fiber, white fiber, mattress fiber | Industry[14] |
Prices are indicative ranges based on industry reporting and do not constitute offers. Actual prices depend on quality, volume, payment terms and relationship. See Coir Price Tracker for current benchmarks.[14][15]
The price surge has been most pronounced in coir pith for the European market, where peat phase-out timelines are creating structural demand that outpaces supply growth. The Dutch covenant target of 50 % renewable content in professional growing media by 2030, combined with Germany's Torfausstieg strategy, means European demand for coir substrate will continue growing regardless of price.[8][9]
For US buyers, the price picture is complicated by freight-rate volatility. Container shipping costs have ranged from USD 2,200 to USD 9,500 per 40-foot container on major trade lanes in 2026, with Asia-to-US rates at the higher end due to Red Sea rerouting and port congestion.[16] Brazil-to-US rates benefit from shorter distances and less-congested lanes.
07 · Frequently asked questions.
Which country exports the most coir?
India is the world's largest coir exporter by a wide margin. In FY 2024-25, India exported 1.34 million tonnes of coir and coir products worth USD 434 million to 121 countries. Coir pith accounted for approximately 60 % of export value. Sri Lanka is second with USD 240 million in coir exports in 2024. Vietnam is the fastest-growing origin, with USD 82 million in fiber exports to the US in just the first seven months of 2025. Sources: IBEF, Coir Board of India, Sri Lanka EDB, Produce Report.[4][5][6]
Which country imports the most coir?
The United States is the world's largest coir importer, accounting for 39 to 48 percent of global coir trade depending on product category. Under HS 5305, the US imported 82,100 tonnes in 2025. The Netherlands is second at approximately 80,000 tonnes per year, functioning as Europe's redistribution hub. The US, Netherlands and Australia together absorb roughly 71 percent of global coir trade. Sources: Volza, UN Comtrade, IMARC Group.[2][7]
What is the transit time from Brazil to the US?
From Pecém, Brazil, to Newark (New York/New Jersey) the transit time is 8 to 9 days on Hapag-Lloyd regular service. To Savannah, 10 to 12 days. To Miami, 10 to 14 days. By comparison, India to the US East Coast takes 28 to 35 days via Suez and 35 to 45 days via the Cape of Good Hope. Brazil delivers 3 to 5 times faster than South Asian origins. Sources: APM Terminals Pecém, iContainers.[10][13]
How large is the global coir market?
The global coir market is estimated at USD 1.2 to 1.5 billion annually. Trade volumes for coir pith alone exceed 1.2 million tonnes. Wageningen University projects coir growing-media rising from 11 million m³ in 2017 to 46 million m³ by 2050. The market grows at 6 to 8 percent annually, driven by European peat phase-outs and expanding protected cultivation. Sources: IMARC Group, Blok et al. 2021 WUR.[1][3]
Does Brazil export coir?
Yes. Brazil exported USD 45.6 million of HS 5305 coir in 2025, mostly raw fiber to China. Brazil is an emerging exporter of processed substrate, with Ceará producing 28 percent of the country's 2.1 billion coconuts. The Port of Pecém offers 8 to 9 day transit to Newark and 12 to 14 days to Rotterdam, a structural logistics advantage over South Asian origins. Sources: IBGE, Pecém Port Authority, Comtrade.[2][11][12]
MARKET INTELLIGENCE BY REGION
Coir markets we cover
Sourced market data and import guides for the destinations we serve from Pecém, Brazil.
For the worldwide picture, see our Global Coir Market overview.
08 · Sources.
- IMARC Group, Coco Coir Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast, 2025 — imarcgroup.com.
- UN Comtrade, HS 5305 (coir, abaca, ramie and other vegetable fibres) imports by reporter, 2024–2025 — comtrade.un.org.
- Blok, C., Verhagen, J. & Wesemael, B. (2021), “A new approach to assess the sustainability of growing media,” Acta Horticulturae 1305, Wageningen University & Research — doi.org.
- India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) / Coir Board of India, FY 2024-25 export statistics — ibef.org.
- Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Coconut & Coir Industry Report 2024 — srilankabusiness.com.
- Produce Report, “US now largest market for Vietnamese coconuts,” 2025 — producereport.com.
- Volza, Global Coconut Coir Import/Export Data, 2025–2026 — volza.com.
- BMEL (Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft), Torfminderungsstrategie (Peat Use Reduction Strategy), Germany — bmel.de.
- Dutch Covenant on the Environmental Impact of Potting Soil and Substrates (Convenant Verantwoord Potgrondgebruik), 2022; targets for 2025 and 2030 — rijksoverheid.nl.
- APM Terminals Pecém, Shipping Lines and Transit Times — apmterminals.com.
- IBGE, Produção Agrícola Municipal (PAM) 2024, coconut production by state and municipality — sidra.ibge.gov.br.
- Pecém Port Authority / APM Terminals, container throughput 2024–2025 — apmterminals.com.
- iContainers, Brazil to US and Brazil to Europe shipping routes and transit times — icontainers.com.
- Greenhouse Grower, “The Growing Media Market: Tariffs, Trends, and What Lies Ahead,” 2026 — greenhousegrower.com.
- Industry pricing surveys; Coir America, product pricing — coiramerica.com; Home Depot and Lowe's coco coir categories.
- SeaRates, “5 Key Factors of Container Costs in 2026,” — searates.com.
- ABISOLO, Anuário Brasileiro de Tecnologia em Nutrição Vegetal 2025/2026 — abisolo.com.br.
- Floral Daily, “North American coir demand keeps on growing,” 2025 — floraldaily.com.