Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is pressed from the kernel of the fruit of Cocos nucifera. Two routes exist and they give two different products: copra oil, pressed from kernel that has been dried in the sun or in a kiln and then refined, and virgin coconut oil, pressed from fresh kernel without a refining step. The oil is solid at room temperature in temperate climates and liquid in the tropics. It is used as a cooking and frying fat, in confectionery and bakery fats, in infant formula fat blends, in soap, surfactants and cosmetics, and as the feedstock for the medium chain fatty acid and fatty alcohol industries.
Listed coconut oil markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Coconut oil is graded first on the kernel route, copra or fresh, then on refining state, and then on the acidity, moisture and colour figures that decide whether a cargo is crude, refined or fit for food.
Processing route and form
11 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Crude coconut oilPressed from dried copra, unrefined | The bulk traded crude. High free fatty acids by design, destined for a refinery. |
| RBD coconut oilCopra oil refined, bleached and deodorised | The standard food and industrial grade. Bland, near colourless. |
| Virgin coconut oilPressed from fresh kernel with no refining, by the declared route | Wet milled, centrifuged, fermented or dry expelled from fresh kernel. Retains aroma. A separate market from copra oil. |
| Extra virginVirgin oil meeting a stated tighter acidity and moisture specification | A commercial tier within virgin. It is a specification, so the specification is written into the contract. |
| Cold pressedMechanically pressed with the press outlet held below a stated temperature | Temperature is a contract term, not an adjective. It preserves the minor components and the flavour, and it costs yield. |
| Expeller pressedMechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling | Higher yield, darker oil, higher free fatty acids. |
| Solvent extractedHexane extraction of the seed or of the press cake | The highest yield route. Residual solvent is a contract and regulatory term. |
| FractionatedFractionated to the stated fatty acid cut | Removes the long chain fraction. Liquid at room temperature. A different product with a different price. |
| HydrogenatedHydrogenated to a stated iodine value | Declared, with the trans fatty acid content stated. |
| FiltrationDeclared: unfiltered, filtered to a stated micron rating, or winterised | Determines clarity and behaviour at low temperature. |
| OrganicCertified under the destination market scheme, with dedicated pressing | Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number, because the press line has to be documented as well as the crop. |
Quality and condition
16 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Copra qualityDeclared: sun dried, kiln dried or smoke dried, with mould and free fatty acid at the mill | The single largest driver of crude oil quality. Smoke drying is also what puts polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the oil. |
| Free fatty acidsPercentage, expressed as the stated reference acid | Determined by ISO 660. The controlling commercial figure. It rises with poor fruit or seed, slow processing and wet storage. |
| Peroxide valueMilliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram | Determined by ISO 3960. Measures oxidation already under way. |
| Anisidine valueDimensionless, by the standard method | Determined by ISO 6885. Measures secondary oxidation, which peroxide value alone will miss in an oil that has already turned over. |
| TotoxTwice the peroxide value plus the anisidine value | The combined oxidation term, where a buyer contracts one number. |
| Moisture and volatile matterMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 662. |
| Insoluble impuritiesMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 663. |
| ColourLovibond red and yellow in a stated cell length, or a stated instrumental scale | Measured, not described. |
| Iodine valueGrams of iodine per 100 grams | Determined by ISO 3961. Measures unsaturation, and with it drying behaviour and oxidative stability. |
| Saponification valueMilligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram | Determined by ISO 3657. An identity figure. |
| Unsaponifiable matterMaximum percentage by mass | The fraction that is not fatty acid. Carries the sterols, tocopherols and the value in the cosmetic trade. |
| Refractive indexAt a stated temperature | A fast identity and adulteration check. |
| Soap contentMilligrams per kilogram | Applies to refined oil. Residue from neutralisation. |
| PhosphorusMilligrams per kilogram | The measure of residual gums. Governs whether the oil will behave in downstream processing. |
| Slip melting pointDegrees Celsius, by the standard method | The controlling figure for a solid fat. |
| Solid fat contentPercentage solid at each stated temperature, by pulsed NMR | The full melting profile. What a formulator actually contracts on. |
Composition and authenticity
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Lauric acidPercentage of the fatty acid profile | The dominant fatty acid and the reason this oil exists as an industrial feedstock. |
| Medium chain fatty acidsPercentage of the fatty acid profile, caproic through lauric | The fraction the nutrition and MCT trades buy on. |
| Fatty acid profilePercentage of each fatty acid by gas chromatography of the methyl esters | Determined by ISO 12966. The fingerprint of the oil and the first authenticity check. |
| Sterol compositionPercentage of each sterol and total sterol content | Determined by ISO 12228. Detects blending with a cheaper oil that shares a similar fatty acid profile. |
| Tocopherols and tocotrienolsMilligrams per kilogram, by HPLC | The natural antioxidant content. Governs shelf life and is a value term in cosmetics. |
| Triacylglycerol compositionBy HPLC, reported as the distribution | A second authenticity layer, because it is far harder to counterfeit than a fatty acid profile. |
Contaminants
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsMicrograms per kilogram, benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four | Comes from direct fire drying and smoke contact at origin. Tested against destination market limits. |
| 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl estersMicrograms per kilogram | Formed at high refining temperatures. Applies to refined oil. |
| Mineral oil hydrocarbonsMilligrams per kilogram, MOSH and MOAH | Comes from lubricants, jute bags and transport. Tested where the destination market requires it. |
| Solvent residueMilligrams per kilogram of hexane | Applies to solvent extracted oil. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Lead, arsenic, cadmium, iron and copper. Iron and copper matter twice over, because they catalyse oxidation in the drum. |
| Dioxins and PCBsPicograms of toxic equivalent per gram of fat | Tested where the destination market requires it. |
| AflatoxinsMicrograms per kilogram | Applies where the oilseed or kernel carries a mould risk before pressing. |
Certification and packing claims
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement. Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Fairtrade, Fair for Life or equivalentCertificate and transaction certificate | Named scheme, with the transaction certificate issued for the specific lot. |
| Kosher and HalalCertificate from the named authority | Certificate travels with the lot. |
| Food grade or cosmetic gradeDeclared, with the corresponding specification | Determines the applicable limits and the packing. |
| Non GMODeclaration, with PCR testing on the source material where required | Applies where the crop has a genetically modified counterpart. |
| Chain of custodyDocumented from harvest to press to drum | Evidenced at every transfer where the lot carries an origin or a community claim. |
| PackingDeclared: flexitank, ISO tank, drum, jerrycan or IBC, with liner and headspace treatment | Nitrogen blanketing and liner type are contract terms, because they decide what the peroxide value looks like on arrival, not on shipment. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Southeast Asia | Origin |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | Origin |
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin |
| Vietnam | Southeast Asia | Origin |
| Papua New Guinea | Oceania | Origin |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Solomon Islands | Oceania | Origin |
| Vanuatu | Oceania | Origin |
| Fiji | Oceania | Origin |
| Samoa | Oceania | Origin |
| Mexico | North America | Origin and destination |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Cote d Ivoire | Africa | Origin |
| Ghana | Africa | Origin and destination |
| Mozambique | Africa | Origin |
| Tanzania | Africa | Origin |
| Netherlands | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| Belgium | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| China | East Asia | Destination |
| South Korea | East Asia | Destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Russia | Europe | Destination |
| Turkiye | Middle East | Destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Destination |
| New Zealand | Oceania | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecMindanao, the Visayas and southern Luzon. The palm bears continuously, so supply is year round with a seasonal peak. Typhoon damage is the main supply risk. |
| Indonesia | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecSulawesi, Sumatra, Java and Maluku. Continuous bearing, year round shipment. |
| India | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecKerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Largely consumed domestically. |
| Sri Lanka | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCoconut triangle in the west and northwest. A leading virgin coconut oil origin. |
| Vietnam | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecMekong delta, principally Ben Tre. |
| Papua New Guinea | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCoastal plantations and smallholdings. |
| Solomon Islands | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecSmallholder copra. |
| Cote d Ivoire | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCoastal belt. The main West African origin. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for coconut oil. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading1513.11 Coconut (copra) oil, crude
1513.19 Coconut (copra) oil, other - PackingFlexitanks of 20 t to 24 t, IBCs of 1000 litres, or 190 kg lacquer lined steel drums. Butters and solid fats in 25 kg cartons or 200 kg drums. Nitrogen blanket for oils that oxidise.
- Container loading20ft: one flexitank at 20 t to 24 t, or 80 drums at roughly 15 t. Heated stow or heating coils where the fat solidifies below deck temperature.
- Contract and arbitrationFOSFA contracts with FOSFA arbitration in London, or NIOP trading rules for United States trade. Free fatty acid, moisture and impurities, peroxide value and colour are the operative quality clauses, established on FOSFA analysis methods.
- Destination limitsEU limits on 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in refined oils and erucic acid limits under Regulation 2023/915, pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005, and novel food authorisation under Regulation 2015/2283 for oils without a pre-1997 EU history of consumption. US FDA food additive and GRAS status applies.
Common questions
What grades of coconut oil does SIP Global trade?
We quote 48 published grades of coconut oil, including Crude coconut oil - Pressed from dried copra, unrefined, RBD coconut oil - Copra oil refined, bleached and deodorised, Virgin coconut oil - Pressed from fresh kernel with no refining, by the declared route, Extra virgin - Virgin oil meeting a stated tighter acidity and moisture specification, Cold pressed - Mechanically pressed with the press outlet held below a stated temperature and Expeller pressed - Mechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is coconut oil graded?
Coconut oil is graded first on the kernel route, copra or fresh, then on refining state, and then on the acidity, moisture and colour figures that decide whether a cargo is crude, refined or fit for food. Grading runs on 5 systems: Processing route and form, Quality and condition, Composition and authenticity, Contaminants and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade coconut oil?
We trade coconut oil in Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Thailand and 27 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is coconut oil harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Philippines: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Indonesia: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; India: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Sri Lanka: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Vietnam: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for coconut oil?
Coconut oil is normally classified under HS 1513.11 (coconut (copra) oil, crude) and HS 1513.19 (coconut (copra) oil, other). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for coconut oil?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed coconut oil market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.