Taking Sri Lankan coconuts to the world

Sri Lankan coconut milk is taking on the world with MAGGI Coconut Milk Powder (CMP) being exported to 50 countries and is now the number one global brand.

“The opportunity for MAGGI CMP was identified upon realising the high per capita consumption of coconuts in Sri Lanka. We wanted to offer a favourite traditional ingredient in a modern convenient format,” said Chandana Fernando, Assistant Vice President-Non Traditional Trade of Nestlé Lanka.

Nestlé began manufacturing coconut milk powder at its newly constructed factory in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka in 1986. In a statement to The Sunday Times FT, the global company said it harnessed its knowledge and expertise in full cream milk powder production to manufacture the coconut milk powder under its renowned culinary brand MAGGI.

Nestlé Lanka purchases some 50 million fresh coconuts each year for its MAGGI CMP production, making it the single largest industrial buyer of coconuts in the country, annually spending Rs 600 million on coconut procurement and helping to create rural livelihoods, the statement said.

At the Nestlé Lanka Kurunegala Factory, a dedicated facility utilising spray drying technology has been set up for the manufacture of MAGGI Coconut Milk Powder. It is the only factory manufacturing MAGGI CMP in the Nestlé world. As with all Nestlé products, stringent quality and hygiene standards are adhered to during the production and packaging process with constant laboratory testing and international research support.

About 80% of the total MAGGI CMP production is exported. Whilst MAGGI CMP is used for daily household cooking, the 15kg industrial packs are utilised by large-scale food manufacturers to offer the authentic coconut flavour to their products. “MAGGI CMP ensures a smooth texture and enhances the flavour of confectionery, ice cream, yoghurt and bakery foods. It is also used as a key ingredient for coconut flavoured cocktails and juices,” the company said.

“Despite facing competition from other coconut milk powder brands made in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, MAGGI CMP stands strong because of the power of the MAGGI brand and its proven quality. We have plans to generate more sales of MAGGI CMP internationally, which we hope will give Sri Lanka’s coconut industry further impetus,” Fernando said.

At the 13th National Chamber of Exporters Awards held last year, MAGGI CMP production was recognised with Nestlé Lanka receiving three awards. The company won the gold award for the most outstanding exporter in the agriculture bulk sector and two silver awards for the agriculture bulk and agriculture value added categories in the large sector, respectively.