Karnataka is currently the largest producer of coconut in India, having surpassed Kerala in recent years. According to the latest data from the Coconut Development Board for 2024-25, Karnataka produced approximately 6,151 million coconut nuts, accounting for around 28.78 percent of India’s total coconut production. While Kerala was historically the top coconut-producing state and still has the largest area under coconut cultivation, Karnataka’s higher productivity per hectare has pushed it to the number one position in terms of total output.
Top Coconut Producing States in India (2024-25)
| Rank | State | Production (Million Nuts) | Share in National Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka | 6,151 million nuts | 28.78% |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 6,050 to 6,091 million nuts | 28.50% |
| 3 | Kerala | 5,522 million nuts | 25.84% |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | Significant contributor | Part of 91% from top 4 states |
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh together contribute approximately 91.10 percent of India’s total coconut production.
Why Karnataka Overtook Kerala
Karnataka’s rise to the top position in coconut production is credited to several factors:
- Farmer-friendly state government policies that actively support coconut cultivation
- Adoption of high-yielding hybrid coconut varieties that produce more nuts per tree
- Improved irrigation systems across coconut-growing districts
- Effective integrated pest management techniques
- Strong network of coconut packing and processing units and copra manufacturing facilities
Major coconut-growing districts in Karnataka include Tumakuru, Chikkamagaluru, and Dakshina Kannada, with around 7 lakh hectares under coconut cultivation in the state.
Kerala: Still the Largest by Area
While Karnataka leads in production volume, Kerala has the largest area under coconut cultivation in India at 7,65,840 hectares, which is 35.37 percent of the national cultivated area. However, Kerala’s productivity of 7,211 nuts per hectare is relatively lower compared to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which is why it now ranks third in production despite having the most land under coconut farming.
Coconut is so deeply embedded in Kerala’s culture that the state’s very name is believed to be derived from “Kera,” meaning coconut tree in Malayalam.
India’s Position in Global Coconut Production
India is now the world’s largest producer of coconuts, contributing approximately 30.37 percent of global coconut output. The country produces around 21,373 million nuts annually from 2,165 thousand hectares of land. The Union Budget 2026-27 announced a dedicated Coconut Promotion Scheme to further boost production and productivity in the sector. Nearly 30 million people, including about 10 million farmers, depend on coconut cultivation and allied activities for their livelihoods across India.
Quick Facts About Coconut in India
- India is the world’s largest coconut producer with a 30.37% global share
- Karnataka is the largest producing state (2024-25 data)
- Kerala has the largest cultivation area but is now ranked third in production
- Top four states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh – together produce over 91% of India’s coconuts
- The total annual production in India is approximately 21,373 million nuts
- The crop supports the livelihoods of 30 million people across India
