Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Exportsof coconut products were worth 900 million USD last year and are expected totop 1 billion USD this year, according to the Vietnam Coconut Association.

Cao Ba DangKhoa, the association’s acting general secretary, said the country has risen tofourth place in Asia in terms of coconut exports.

Every partof the coconut tree - fruits, wood, leaves - has a use, he said.

Theprocessing industry has developed some 200 products like candy, fibre, shellcharcoal, oil, coconut milk, and carpet, besides fresh coconut.

It hasinvested in production technologies to make products of international qualityand export to many markets including demanding ones, he said.

Firmsexported coconut wood last year, and many businesses now report large exportorders for it and coconut shell for making handicrafts, he said.

Theassociation is coordinating with several industries and localities to organiseactivities to expand production capacity and build brands for coconut products,he said.

With propermarketing, coconut products would gain traction in international markets, hesaid.

Theassociation plans to set up offices in several provinces and cities, he said.

The industryfaces challenges, including the lack of a standalone set of standards and rulesfor coconut varieties and wood origin traceability, he said.

Vietnam has175,000 hectares under coconut, mainly in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta and thecentral coast, with the former accounting for nearly 80%./.