What Importers Miss When Sourcing Virgin Coconut Oil – and How to Get It Right

The global demand for organic virgin coconut oil has increased over the years. However, sourcing virgin coconut oil of premium quality can be challenging for several reasons.

• Sustainable Coconut Supply – The growing market demands a continual supply of sustainably-cultivated, organic coconuts. While Sri Lanka’s natural conditions allow a substantial and sustainable yield of coconuts all-year-round, this might not be the case with most other coconut-producing countries. When space and conditions are not favourable for sustainable crop rotation, some producers may resort to over-farming and chemical use to increase yields, thereby compromising product quality.
• Quality Control – Quality control of virgin coconut oil becomes challenging with aged trees, and is also affected by the maturity and storage conditions of coconuts. Having to be selective about trees and coconuts to maintain quality over quantity might not be a measure that some virgin coconut oil suppliers are willing to practice.
• Extraction Process – The extraction process of organic virgin coconut oil is labour-intensive and time-consuming. This can make increasing oil production challenging, thereby pushing some producers into employing short-cuts that could compromise the quality of the end-product.

Most consumers – and some importers – confuse virgin coconut oil with refined coconut coil. Organic virgin coconut oil is extracted from the fresh coconut meat of sustainably- and organically-grown coconuts by means of cold-pressing. The production of cold-pressed virgin coconut oil does not involve the application of heat, allowing better retention of nutrients and antioxidants in the oil. Refined coconut oil, however, is extracted from copra (dried coconut meat) with the application of heat (and, sometimes, chemicals), thereby lowering the nutritional value of the end-product.

Looking into the authenticity and quality of the product alone does not suffice. It is equally important to be aware of the reliability, accountability, and ethos of your virgin coconut oil suppliers. Background research is a must, to establish that the supplier’s deeds match their words.

Another aspect to look into is the logistics of the supply chain. A good product means nothing if it does not reach the importer on time, to serve their consumer. Similarly, traceability from farm to consumer is also important.

Research and communication are key to establish whether a given virgin coconut oil supplier can be trusted or not. Ask all the questions that you need answers to, to ensure that you can guarantee your client a good and timely product. Carry out background research on your potential supplier – are they a reputed company? What sort of feedback do their existing clients handle? How efficiently do they handle logistics?

It would be best to visit the facilities in person and ascertain that all their processes and accreditations are in place to guarantee the best virgin coconut oil for import. Building a good rapport with the supplier, and familiarity with the facilities and product, can go a long way in developing a long-term partnership.

Miditer, being an exporter of premium virgin coconut oil from Sri Lanka, follows stringent measures for sustainability and hygiene. Our coconut processing facilities strictly adhere to HACCP quality guidelines, and our processes are largely automated to minimise human contact with the product. We also have organic certifications from EU Organic, Canada Organic, USDA Organic, and are JAS-certified, BRCGS-certified, and Control Union-certified.

As a coconut oil exporter, we believe that these are some of the most essential and relevant accreditations that a coconut processing facility ought to have.

The amount of goodness that can be extracted from a coconut depends on the conditions that nurture the palm which bears the coconut. Sri Lanka’s year-round tropical climate, nutrient-rich soil, and traditional, sustainable cultivation practices all contribute towards the yield of coconuts that are globally regarded as some of the best in the world. Consequently, if sourced from certified coconut oil manufacturers like Miditer, virgin coconut oil from Sri Lanka can elicit optimal health benefits from this precious fruit.

Here are a few key questions to consider and communicate with potential suppliers when looking for the best virgin coconut oil for import:

• Is the product sourced from organic and sustainably-run farms?
• What is the state (maturity) of the trees and fruits from which the oil is extracted?
• Is the product cold-pressed virgin coconut oil?
• Does the product have traceability from farm to consumer?
• What quality control measures are in place to ensure a consistently good product?
• What safety and authenticity certifications do the product have?
• Is the supplier familiar with the logistics and procedures required to ensure that the product reaches you on time and in good condition?
• Does the supplier assure transparency, communication, and reliability through every step?

As one of the most reliable coconut oil exporters in Sri Lanka, Miditer is committed to providing you with the best virgin coconut oil Sri Lanka produces. While we offer cold-pressed virgin coconut oil for bulk export or with white labelling, we would also be happy for you to partner with us as a coconut oil distributor for our brand. We are keen to work with like-minded entities that prioritise sustainability and accountability – to customer, source, and planet.

Get in touch with Miditer’s communicative liaison team to learn more about the prospects of building a long-term partnership based on a common interest in giving the best virgin coconut oil from Sri Lanka to the world.