Innovating with Coconut

Coconut products have been on the market for some time, as evidenced by the mainstream adoption of everyday products like coconut oil and coconut water. But whereas products that have been on the market for quite a while can often become stale and incapable of innovation, coconut is still a major source of inspiration for a variety of brands. Manufacturers are innovating increasingly creative and unusual coconut products, satisfying a growing consumer appetite for coconut.

Margaret Gomes of ingredient supplier NP Nutra (Gardena, CA) says that coconut product sales have skyrocketed in the last decade, growing from essentially zero to USD $612.5 million since the early 2000s. “It’s easy to understand why coconut products are so popular,” Gomes says. “Coconut is one of nature’s perfect foods-easily digested and rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and cytokines. It’s also a very versatile product, with both the coconut meat and water used in a multitude of functional food and beverage applications.”

Gomes notes that the diversification of the coconut product market is the result of both consumer demand and supplier innovation, with no end in sight to the market’s expansion. “You name it; we’re seeing it. The focus has shifted. We’re not just talking about innovative new products; we’re talking about new delivery formats. Nutrient-infused energy pods, gels, chews, sprays, blends-the sky is the limit right now. Anything with coconut in it has a good chance of selling.”

So, how are today’s innovators determining which coconut path to follow? Ahead, we take a look at brands that have found success through experimentation.


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