As global leaders in all things fruit ingredients, our vast network of partners and suppliers allows us to source a huge selection of fruits in nearly every format. Looking for something specific? We can help.

Coconut

Our customers use coconut because of its versatility, functional properties, and strong appeal in both health-focused and global cuisine products. Coconut is used in many forms, including coconut milk, cream, oil, water, flour, and shredded flesh, allowing it to fit into a wide range of applications such as beverages, desserts, snacks, and dairy alternatives. Its naturally rich, creamy texture makes it an effective substitute for dairy, especially in plant-based products, while coconut oil provides a stable fat source for cooking and processed foods. Coconut also contains beneficial fats and electrolytes, supporting health and wellness marketing claims. Additionally, its distinctive flavor and association with tropical ingredients enhance product appeal, and its availability in shelf-stable processed forms makes it practical for large-scale manufacturing.

Brothers International is proud to offer various fruit juices and concentrates as USDA Organic certified.

Coconut can be supplied as organic upon request

Available From

Our Coconut is sourced from the earth's prime growing regions. Contact us to learn more.

Available As

• Coconut Milk
• Coconut Cream
• Desiccated Coconut
• Coconut Water
• Coconut IQF

Harvest Seasons

Coconuts grow in both hemispheres all year long.

Request a Sample of Coconut
Botanical: Cocos Nucifera

A Fruit, a Nut, and a Seed

Coconuts are large tropical fruits that grow on coconut palm trees, which are commonly found in coastal regions around the world and processed into coconut milk and coconut cream. The fruit has a hard, fibrous outer husk and a hard inner shell that contains both coconut water and white edible flesh. Coconuts are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia or the Pacific Islands and have been an important food source in tropical cultures for centuries. The flesh can be eaten fresh or dried, and the liquid inside is naturally occurring coconut water. Coconuts are harvested year-round and are well adapted to warm, humid environments.

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is an iconic tropical perennial cultivated across equatorial coastal regions. In industrial processing, mature coconuts (typically 10 to 12 months old) are harvested for their thick, nutrient-dense white endosperm (meat). Rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs, particularly lauric acid), natural emulsifiers, and clean tropical aromatics, coconut ingredients serve as a foundational building block for plant-based dairy alternatives, bakery items, confectionery, and savory culinary formulations.

Processing mature coconut flesh yields three primary commercial formats, each defined by fat concentration, moisture levels, and mechanical handling:

  • Coconut Cream (High Fat Liquid Emulsion): Extracted by mechanical pressing of fresh, shredded coconut meat without added water (or with minimal added water). Containing 20% to 24%+ natural fat, coconut cream is a rich, highly viscous liquid emulsion with a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel. It is the premier functional choice for vegan ice creams, plant-based coffee creamers, rich curries, confectionery fillings, and indulgent RTD beverages.

  • Coconut Milk (Medium Fat Liquid Emulsion): Produced by pressing fresh coconut meat with controlled water addition, yielding a pourable, smooth liquid containing 10% to 17% natural fat. Coconut milk provides balanced creaminess, tropical aroma, and excellent solubility, making it an industry standard for plant-based drinkable yogurts, smoothies, soups, and tropical beverage blends.

  • Desiccated Coconut (Dried Shredded Flesh): Produced by de-husking, peeling, washing, shredding, and drying pure white coconut meat down to less than 3% moisture. Desiccated coconut retains the fruit’s natural fats (60% to 68% high fat) and natural fiber while offering extended ambient shelf stability. Available in various cut sizes—including Fine (Macaroon), Medium, Flake, and Chips—it provides texture, bite, and visual appeal for bakery, granola, and confectionery lines.

Brothers International partners with origin processors equipped with high-speed automated de-husking, blanching, and aseptic sterilization systems to deliver pure white, heat-stabilized coconut ingredients free of discoloration or off-flavors.

Global Sourcing Through the Brothers International Network:
Coconut palms require warm, frost-free equatorial microclimates with high humidity, abundant sunshine, and well-drained alluvial or coastal soils. Because the global coconut market faces intense competition between fresh retail markets, coconut oil extraction, and industrial food processing, securing dedicated, year-round volume demands an integrated international footprint. Brothers International connects North American manufacturers to premier growing regions through our established network of audited processing partners.

We source high-grade coconut ingredients from the world’s leading tropical belts:

  • The Coconut Triangle of Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia & Sri Lanka): The Philippines and Indonesia lead global production of premium aseptic coconut milk, cream, and desiccated cuts, offering vast plantation acreage, state-of-the-art processing plants, and strict quality controls. Sri Lanka is world-renowned for organic desiccated coconut cuts with pristine white color and sweet aromatics.

  • Thailand & Vietnam: Major processing centers specializing in high-viscosity coconut creams, culinary-grade aseptic coconut milk, and specialty toasted or sweetened desiccated products.

By coordinating supply across the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, Brothers International insulates your manufacturing facility against localized weather events, typhoons, shipping bottlenecks, and price volatility.

Harvest Cycles & Continuous Supply Management:
In tropical equatorial zones, coconut palms produce mature fruit continuously 52 weeks a year, with harvesting occurring in 30-to-45-day rolling cycles per plantation. Once harvested, mature nuts must be husked, pared, and processed rapidly to prevent free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation and lipid oxidation (rancidity).

Managing this continuous processing stream and ocean freight shipping is a core strength of Brothers International. Our operations and logistics teams oversee multi-quarter inventory allocations, temperature-monitored maritime transport, USDA/FDA import clearances, C-TPAT supply chain security, and strategic warehousing across North America. Whether your line requires aseptic 55-gallon drums of 24% fat coconut cream, totes of 14% coconut milk, or multi-wall bags of Fine desiccated coconut, our network guarantees ready inventory year-round.

Rigorous Quality Control, Traceability & Compliance:
Processing coconut ingredients requires stringent quality management—specifically regarding microbial sterility, lipase enzyme deactivation, free fatty acid (FFA) limits, peroxide value (PV) tracking, and zero sulfur dioxide (SO₂) bleaching options. Every supplier within the Brothers International network undergoes a comprehensive auditing process to guarantee complete supply chain traceability, sustainable farming practices, fair labor standards, and strict compliance with USDA, FDA, and international food safety standards.

Through our network, we deliver coconut ingredients backed by complete technical documentation and top-tier industry certifications, including GFSI benchmarks (BRC, SQF, FSSC 22000), USDA Organic (NOP), Kosher, Non-GMO, and Halal standards. Our quality assurance protocols include testing for fat percentage verification, moisture testing, microbiological screening (Salmonella and E. coli negative), peroxide values (PV < 1.0 meq/kg), free fatty acids (FFA < 0.15%), and allergen control.

The Brothers International

Quality Promise

Brothers International and its 4 divisions, Brothers Ingredients, Dennick Fruit Source, Hosh International and Food Partners, are trusted global importers of premium ingredients to major food and beverage manufacturers in North America. We deliver consistent quality and supply across every format the industry demands. Our Coconut is sourced from the earth’s prime growing regions where farming expertise, climate and soil composition come together to produce Coconut of exceptional caliber. All of our suppliers undergo a rigorous vetting process to ensure we work with only the highest-quality processors and can fully guarantee traceability, sustainability, and compliance with all international regulations.

Each of our divisions has a specialized operations team to manage shipments and coordinate with customers and suppliers. They work closely with our in-house customs team to ensure efficient clearance, and collaborate with the USDA and FDA to maintain full regulatory compliance. This ensures your ingredients move seamlessly through every stage of import, arriving on time and ready for production with complete confidence. With decades of sourcing expertise and a strong commitment to customer success, you can count on Brothers International to deliver the premium ingredients your products require.

Brother International provides coconut ingredients including coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut water.
All the information you need to navigate the fruit ingredient buying process.

Industry Glossary

A Reference Guide for Fruit Ingredient Terminology

Check out our glossary for a consolidated reference of commonly used terminology across the global fruit ingredient industry. It provides straightforward definitions and context for the language and concepts referenced throughout the industry.

Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, Coconut Water

Additional Facts and Questions About Coconut Ingredients

As fruit ingredient experts, we can work with manufacturers to provide nearly any specification of coconut milk and coconut cream – contact our team to get started. The table below represents a handful of the most common natural fat percentages and concentration.

Target Spec / Fat % Product Format Why Manufacturers Choose It & Applications
20% – 24%+ Fat
(~24%–30% Total Solids)		 Aseptic Coconut Cream
(Liquid Emulsion)		 High Viscosity & Rich Creaminess. Extracted from mature coconut meat with minimal water. Rich in natural lauric acid and emulsifying lipids. Ideal for vegan ice cream bases, plant-based coffee creamers, RTD dairy-free beverages, confectionery ganaches, and savory curries.
10% – 17% Fat
(~12%–18% Total Solids)		 Aseptic Coconut Milk
(Liquid Emulsion)		 Balanced Pourability & Aroma. Smooth, pourable liquid offering clean coconut aroma and moderate fat content. Preferred for plant-based drinkable yogurts, tropical smoothies, canned soups, sauce bases, and Asian culinary preps.
60% – 68% Fat
(<3% Moisture)		 Desiccated Coconut (High Fat)
(Fine, Medium, Flake, Chips)		 Pure White Shredded Meat. Dried and milled coconut meat available in Fine (Macaroon), Medium, or Flake cuts. Delivers authentic texture, rich mouthfeel, and tropical flavor for baking, macaroons, snack bars, cereal toppings, and chocolate coatings.
45% – 55% Fat
(<3.5% Moisture)		 Reduced-Fat Desiccated Coconut
(Defatted Cuts)		 Partially defatted dried coconut meat providing fibrous texture, bulking capacity, and tropical flavor with lower total lipid density. Ideal for high-protein nutrition bars, low-fat granola, and dietary fiber enrichment.

  • Coconut Cream (20%–24%+ Fat): Extracted with minimal added water, resulting in a thick, highly viscous liquid emulsion rich in natural fats. In product development, coconut cream functions as a heavy dairy-cream replacer, providing rich opacity, mouthfeel, fat-binding, and freeze-thaw stability in plant-based ice creams, coffee creamers, chocolates, and heavy curries.

  • Coconut Milk (10%–17% Fat): Extracted with controlled water blending to achieve a lower fat density and pourable viscosity. It acts as a direct alternative to whole dairy milk, making it ideal for drinkable plant-based beverages, smoothies, soups, and light sauces where pourability and lower calorie density are required.

Desiccated Coconut is pure white coconut meat that has been peeled, washed, shredded, and dried down to less than 3% moisture content. It is categorized by particle size:

  • Fine Cut (Macaroon Grade): Granular, finely ground particles used in macaroon cookies, cake batters, breading systems, and confectionery fillings where a smooth, non-gritty bite is needed.

  • Medium Cut: Standard shredded particles providing visual coconut strands and chewiness, ideal for donut toppings, granola, pastry coatings, and snack bars.

  • Flake & Chip Cuts: Large, decorative thin ribbons or flat chips used for trail mixes, toasted coconut toppings, retail cereal inclusions, and gourmet bakery garnishes.

Coconut milk and cream are naturally rich in saturated fats—specifically Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) like lauric acid (C12:0). Because lauric acid forms stable crystal networks at refrigerated temperatures, coconut fat mimics the melting profile, body, and richness of butterfat and dairy cream. This allows formulators to create vegan yogurts, non-dairy ice creams, and plant-based cheeses with rich, indulgent textures without relying on hydrogenated palm oils, modified starches, or artificial emulsifiers.

Because desiccated coconut contains 60% to 68% natural fat, exposure to heat, light, or moisture can trigger lipid oxidation (rancidity) or enzymatic hydrolysis.

  • Free Fatty Acids (FFA): Measures the breakdown of triglycerides into free fatty acids (expressed as % lauric acid). Brothers International guarantees FFA < 0.15%, ensuring zero soapy off-flavors.

  • Peroxide Value (PV): Measures primary oxidation products (peroxides). We enforce PV < 1.0 meq/kg, guaranteeing fresh taste, clean aroma, and extended shelf life.

  • Plant-Based Dairy & Frozen Desserts: Vegan ice creams, non-dairy coffee creamers, plant-based yogurts, cultured kefirs, and non-dairy whipped toppings.

  • Beverages & Cocktails: Piña colada bases, tropical smoothies, RTD iced coffees, matcha lassis, and botanical nut milks.

  • Bakery & Confectionery: Macaroons, coconut cakes, chocolate truffle centers, candy bars, donut glazes, and pastry fillings.

  • Savory Foods & Culinary: Thai curries, Indian kormas, coconut rice preps, savory marinades, soups, and dipping sauces.

Brothers International supplies commercial coconut milk and other coconut ingredients in standard B2B industrial packaging formats – you can contact us directly here on our website to get additional specific details:

  • Liquid Coconut Milk & Cream: Packaged in 20 kg (44 lb) aseptic bibs/pails, 200 kg (440 lb) aseptic steel/poly drums, or 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bulk aseptic totes, designed for ambient storage and direct factory pumpability.

  • Desiccated Coconut: Packaged in 25 lb or 50 lb multi-wall Kraft paper bags fitted with sealed inner polyethylene liners to protect against moisture absorption and oxygen exposure.

  • Aseptic Liquid Coconut Milk & Cream: Unopened aseptic drums and totes remain shelf-stable at cool ambient temperatures (15°C–25°C / 59°F–77°F) for 12 to 18 months. Storage above 30°C should be avoided to prevent thermal browning. Once opened, containers must remain strictly refrigerated and be used within 48 to 72 hours.

  • Desiccated Coconut: Should be stored in cool, dry conditions (below 20°C / 68°F and <60% relative humidity) away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Properly stored high-fat desiccated coconut maintains a shelf life of 12 to 18 months from manufacture.

Because processing facilities in some regions historically used sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas to artificially bleach coconut meat, clean-label manufacturers require guaranteed SO₂-free sourcing. Brothers International contracts exclusively with audited, state-of-the-art processors in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka who utilize heat pasteurization and steam blanching to achieve pristine white color without chemical sulfites. As direct importers, our logistics team manages FDA/USDA clearances, customs brokerage, C-TPAT supply chain security, and strategic warehousing across North America, ensuring continuous volume allocations and predictable contract pricing year-round.

Every beverage and food formulation requires precise technical parameters to perform consistently on automated production lines. Beyond standard ingredient delivery, Brothers International supports your R&D and QA teams with comprehensive technical documentation and specification matching. We provide batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA), detailed product specification sheets, allergen statements, Non-GMO declarations, and heavy metal/pesticide testing.

Whether your product requires a specific pH range, custom titratable acidity, precise color intensity, or tailored seed filtration (down to specific mesh screen sizes), our technical specialists collaborate directly with your formulators to match your operational requirements. To accelerate your product development cycle, we maintain a rapid-ship sample program for bench testing and pilot-scale trials.

Navigating global fruit commodity markets requires proactive supply chain management and real-time market intelligence. Seasonal weather anomalies, shifting freight rates, and harvest yield fluctuations can impact coconut ingredient pricing and availability. Brothers International acts as a strategic procurement partner, offering market forecasts, crop reports, and flexible contracting structures—including multi-quarter forward contracts to lock in budget stability, as well as spot-market sourcing to fill unexpected inventory gaps.

As direct importers, we handle the complexities of international trade so you don’t have to. Our logistics team manages C-TPAT supply chain security, USDA/FDA import clearances, and customs brokerage to eliminate port delays. Backed by strict temperature-monitored cold-chain logistics, we ensure your frozen strawberry concentrates, purees, and essences maintain complete color, flavor, and microbial integrity from origin to your facility floor.

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Certifications

As a leader in sourcing organic ingredients, we work closely with our suppliers to ensure full traceability, sustainability and to ensure they comply with all international regulations for chemical residues and pesticides. We are organic certified and all our organic products are NOP certified and Kosher certified.

Brothers International Food Holdings is a proud member of the CUSTOMS – TRADE PARTNERSHIP AGAINST TERRORISM (C-TPAT) program. C-TPAT is a voluntary U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that partners with businesses to strengthen supply chain security and reduce risks, including terrorism. For more information, visit www.cbp.gov

All our products are Kosher and GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) Certified. We can supply all of our products with organic certification and, if required, unpasteurized purées and juices.

We have joined the global movement to protect the environment and improve lives for farmers and workers around the world. We help farmers in developing countries builds sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. Brothers International can assist you in sourcing Fair Trade Certified™ and Demeter (Bio-dynamic)™ ingredients.

Brothers International is a part of CTPAT.
USDA Organic Logo
The logo for Demeter.
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