Wellness Foods + Supplements 1/2022

Oil and fats
The palms grow to between 20 and 25 metres
high, and the coconuts form in groups in the
crown. Palm climbers regularly ascend the
palms to select and harvest the ripe fruits.
Each palm produces around 70 coconuts
per year. Even though they grow constantly,
the main coconut harvest period on Sri
Lanka is between April and September.
In 2021, the Sri Lankan government decided
to convert its entire agricultural sector to
organic production. Many small farmers
pay attention to sustainable cultivation on
their coconut plantations and have always
refrained from using pesticides due to their
traditional cultivation techniques. The Sinhalese
producers in the IPD programme mostly
work with peasant farmers from the region
who grow organically. Their coconut products
carry the EU organic label and often
also other organic certifications.
Demand for coconuts
IPD supports a number of enterprises from
Sri Lanka in marketing the products they
make from coconuts, particularly the flesh.
Among them is, for example, the company
Nisudha Food Products, which has been
producing a wide range of coconut products
for over 20 years. Particularly noteworthy is
the coconut oil from certified organic coconuts
that Nisudha produces and exports
successfully. This is because the demand for
high-quality virgin coconut oil is particularly
high in Europe.
Extracted: MCT oil
In addition to cold-pressed oil, there is
another speciality from the coconut: MCT oil.
This is produced by extracting the mediumchain
fatty acids from coconut oil. Pure MCT
oil does not occur in nature and coconut fat
contains a mixture of fatty acids. The MCT
fats are therefore obtained through hydrolysis.
capric acids, with eight and ten carbon atoms, are said to be the two
most valuable fatty acids, as they are considered to provide energy
the fastest.
The company Manchiee de Coco joined the IPD programme in 2019
and produces not only virgin coconut oil, but also other coconut products,
including the coconut-based MCT oil. The raw material for this
is cold-pressed coconut oil. During production, the company ensures
a high proportion of the valuable caprylic and capric acids from
natural coconut oil. They are contained in the MCT oil from Manchiee
de Coco in a ratio of 60:40.
MCT oil is clear and watery, as well as odourless and tasteless. It
mixes very well with other liquids and is suitable as an oil in sauces,
salad dressings, shakes and smoothies.
Speciality Bulletproof Coffee
MCT oil is also the central ingredient of the new cult drink Bulletproof
Coffee. Combining it with butter and coffee results in a high-energy
and caffeine-rich drink. It is said to increase attentiveness as well as
performance and concentration.
IPD partner country Sri Lanka
IPD has been supporting small and medium-sized enterprises from
Sri Lanka since 2018, preparing them for the European market and
introducing them to European traders at trade exhibitions in Europe.
Besides the textile industry, the agricultural sector plays a leading role
in Sri Lanka’s export economy. Sri Lanka is the world’s third largest
tea exporter and is particularly well known for its Ceylon tea. Trading
with spices, particularly cinnamon and pepper, is also a long tradition.
Another growing export factor is the coconut and its products.
IPD connects European importers with the carefully selected
producers, opening up new buying sources for them and supporting
them in the procurement process. IPD is funded by the German
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
For more information, please visit
www.importpromotiondesk.de
Caproic, caprylic, capric and lauric acids
are referred to as medium-chain fatty acids.
Coconut oil has a high proportion of lauric
acid – around 50 percent. There is only a
small amount of caproic acid, which has an
unappealing taste and odour. Caprylic and
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