2024 Sustainable Coconut Roundtable unites global leaders in Manila

On September 23-28 at the Sheraton Manila Hotel, industry leaders, government representatives, and stakeholders from across the coconut supply chain gathered for the 2024 Sustainable Coconut Roundtable. Organized by the Sustainable Coconut Partnership, this year’s event centered around the theme, "Nurturing Sustainable Coconut Markets to Meet a Growing Demand," showcasing innovative strategies and fostering partnerships for a thriving coconut industry.

Dr. Jelfina Alouw of the International Coconut Community emphasized that more than 95% of coconut sources worldwide come from smallholder farmers, underscoring their essential role in the industry's future. She expressed optimism about the rising demand for higher-value coconut products, positioning the sector for tremendous growth.

Jonathan Bird of the Sustainable Coconut Partnership echoed this positive outlook, stating, "Coconut has many positive sustainability characteristics, and the supply of certified sustainable products is on the rise." This reflects the promising direction the industry is heading, as more stakeholders align with sustainability goals and respond to the needs of today’s conscious consumers.

Through interactive workshops and collaborative working groups, buyers, producers, government representatives, and other stakeholders exchanged innovative ideas and co-created possible solutions for the future of coconut sustainability. A standout moment of the event was the unveiling of a new assurance system, which is both flexible and encouraging, designed to establish a robust, industry-wide standard that supports sustainable practices.

Participants also seized valuable networking opportunities, such as the B2B matchmaking sessions. The GIZ Coconut Alliance Project organized a breakout session to share the experiences of the project on the holistic approach of improving the sustainability of coconut sourcing areas, using LandScale Framework.

The 2024 Sustainable Coconut Roundtable concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, as participants committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable coconut sector that not only meets growing global demand but also uplifts farmers and protects the environment. The future looks bright for the coconut industry, with its global force poised to expand in exciting and transformative ways.

On the sidelines, the GIZ Coco Alliance Project took the opportunity to hold a special in-person meeting with its private partners. All private partners were in attendance - namely representatives from Barry Callebaut, Cargill, FrieslandCampina, JDE Peet’s, Nestle, P&G, and Unilever. This strategic discussion focused on extending their collaboration beyond the official project timeline, ensuring long-term sustainability and deeper impact across the coconut supply chain.