The majority of coconuts on the US market are imported from either Southeast Asia or Central America. There is, however, also domestic production on the mainland, in Florida. Although growing all year round, the season is currently approaching its peak, in both production and demand.
"Coconuts are in fact grown all over Florida, but we source our domestic supply from the region around Homestead," said Felipe Jimenez of Vega Produce. "The trees produce coconut year round, but production and demand usually increases in the summer time. The peak season is when the fruit is at its best and demand is highest, which starts around now from Memorial Day all the way through Labor Day."
Coconuts typically found anywhere in Florida, in "uncontrolled" conditions
"Controlled" production
Suppliers say there are two main types of coconut production, one is considered not controlled which are the ones growing in public areas, and the other is "controlled". The main difference being that the controlled coconuts are the ones on farms set up for supplying coconuts to the market. According to Jimenez, the controlled coconuts yield much higher quality fruit due to the input from the grower.
"The coconuts that you find everywhere in Florida, in gardens and on the street, are not treated with anything and so the quality of the fruit is not the greatest," he explained. "Controlled trees are usually watered three to four times a day, and they are given the appropriate nutrition in the soil to yield a quality coconut. Our growers are centered around Homestead and they specialize in coconuts, growing them in a very controlled environment."
Jiminez says coconuts grown in a "controlled" manner, such as these, are better quality.
Commercial aspects
Specific trees are more preferable for production than others. Additionally, suppliers generally ship their domestic coconuts in boxes as well as the large watermelon bins for bulk transport.
"The majority of trees here are a variety from Costa Rica, but for farm-grown coconuts, it's better to use a Jamaican tree," Jimenez noted. "Coconuts are usually seen in boxes with 6, 8, and 10 counts and also in watermelon bins in 125 counts."
For more information:
Felipe Jimenez
Vega Produce
Tel: +1 (305) 285-1235
