Cambodia’s coconut industry remains largely underdeveloped, with most coconuts rain-fed, irregularly planted, and harvested young for coconut water.
Meanwhile, global demand for coconut products is booming. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is projected to grow from US$2.1 billion in 2016 to US$4.2 billion by 2024, driven by rising interest in natural food and beauty products.
The Cambodia Coconut Company (CCC) aims to unlock this potential through an inclusive model that empowers smallholder farmers and develops the coconut value chain:
- Tree planting incentive (“Grow More Get More”)
Farmers receive support for planting new trees, tracked via a simple barcode system, ensuring a stable supply of mature coconuts. - Village hubs for VCO processing
Local hubs generate employment, enable local entrepreneurship, and process coconuts into VCO while sharing ownership with farmers and entrepreneurs. - Agronomy training & R&D
Farmers gain knowledge on high-value products from mature coconuts, including VCO, desiccated coconut, vinegar, coir, and activated carbon. - Centralised processing & market access
CCC manages distribution, packaging, and potential partnerships with existing processors to expand reach. - Economic impact
Farmers’ incomes are expected to increase six-fold, while 500,000 trees are targeted over ten years, boosting rural livelihoods and reducing migration pressures.
With an initial investment of US$6M, CCC anticipates breaking even in 3.7 years, achieving a 37.9% IRR, and generating US$113M in revenue by year ten. The initiative also lays the groundwork for public policy support and sustainable industry growth.