The Coconut Palm in Sri Lanka

   The coconut, popularly known as the “Tree of Life”, Tree of Abundance”, “Nature's Super Market”, “Kalpavruksha”, in the form of tender nuts and dry fruit as food, drink, oil and milk has been used by human and their immediate ancestor species for at least half a million years.

The coconut, popularly known as the “Tree of Life”, Tree of Abundance”, “Nature's Super Market”, “Kalpavruksha”, in the form of tender nuts and dry fruit as food, drink, oil and milk has been used by human and their immediate ancestor species for at least half a million years.

Its medicinal use is known for over 4000 years in Ayurveda system. This crop is grown in 11.8 million hectare in about 93 countries around the world, and produces 57514 billion nuts or 10.57 million tons of copra equivalent of which 87.9% area and 82% of production are from Asia and Pacific countries.

                   Under favorable condition, an adult palm produces 12 to 16 new leaves annually with a corresponding flower cluster. In a healthy crown, there are 30-40 leaves. A mature leaf is 3-4 meter in length and has 200 -250 leaflets. A leaf remains in the palm for about 3 years. When leaves are shed, a permanent scar is left on the trunk.

A normal inflorescence may have 10-50 female flowers.Of them 50-70% fall off and balance developed into nuts, which will take about 12 months to mature.

The economic life of the palm is about 60-70 years, although much older trees are known to exist and yield well.

Sri Lanka with 439,000 Ha. has a production of 2274 million nuts and occupies third and fourth place respectively in area and production, earning about US$ 142.3 million through export of coconut products particularly coir products, desiccated coconuts, activated carbon, copra, coconut powder, and fresh coconut.

Sri Lanka with 439,000 Ha. has a production of 2274 million nuts and occupies third and fourth place respectively in area and production, earning about US$ 142.3 million through export of coconut products particularly coir products, desiccated coconuts, activated carbon, copra, coconut powder, and fresh coconut.

Sri Lanka is the largest coconut consuming country (70 – 80% of coconut is utilised for domestic consumption). It has been estimated that demand in Sri Lanka by 2010 will be 4000 million nuts to meet the domestic and industrial requirements.

Its medicinal use is known for over 4000 years in Ayurvedic system. This crop is grown in 11.8 million hectare in about 93 countries around the world, and produces 57514 billion nuts or 10.57 million tons of copra equivalent of which 87.9% area and 82% of production are from Asia and Pacific countries.

The cultivation of the coconut palm in Sri Lanka is spread over more than twenty two centuries. The palm has a single terminal growing point. It contributes stem elongation, formation of flowers and nuts. It takes about 16 months from the initial formation of the flowers to their opening.

Under favourable condition, an adult palm produces 12 to 16 new leaves annually with a corresponding flower cluster. In a healthy crown, there are 30-40 leaves. A mature leaf is 3-4 meter in length and has 200 -250 leaflets. A leaf remains in the palm for about 3 years. When leaves are shed, a permanent scar is left on the trunk.

A normal inflorescences may have 10-50 female flowers. Of them 50-70% fall off and balance developed into nuts, which will take about 12 months to mature.


The economic life of the palm is about 60-70 years, although much older trees are known to exist and yield well.


Sri Lanka with 439,000 Ha. has a production of 2274 million nuts and occupies third and fourth place respectively in area and production, earning about US$ 142.3 million through export of coconut products particularly coir products, desiccated coconuts, activated carbon, copra, coconut powder, and fresh coconut.


Sri Lanka is the largest coconut consuming country (70 – 80% of coconut is utilised for domestic consumption). It has been estimated that demand in Sri Lanka by 2010 will be 4000 million nuts to meet the domestic and industrial requirements.