How Mr. C.M. Kamaraj Transformed India’s Coconut Industry from Pollachi to the World

by August 7, 2025
Mr. C.M. Kamaraj

From overcoming early setbacks to revolutionizing coconut value chains, Mr. C.M. Kamaraj has built Sakthi Coco Products into a global benchmark. What began in 1981 as Tamil Nadu’s first mechanized coir export unit now drives India’s ₹30,000+ crore coconut industry with breakthrough innovations that command international attention.

Industry Transformation Journey

  • 1981: Founded by MBA industrialist Mr. Kamaraj, pioneering automated coir exports
  • 1983: Supplied premium coconut powder to Britannia, establishing quality credentials
  • 2002: Converted coir waste into Coco Peat (horticultural substrate) with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, becoming India’s first exporter to EU/Australia
  • 2003: Launched India’s first bottled tender coconut water with R&D support from Coconut Development Board & Defence Food Research Laboratory

Award-Winning Leadership

Mr. Kamaraj served 18 years on Indian government coconut/coir boards

Honors:

  • National recognition for coconut shell ice cream cups at Barcelona Olympics
  • Repeated “Best Exporter” awards (Coir Board & MSME Ministry)
  • Chairman, All India Coir/Coconut Products Manufacturers Association

Product Portfolio

Food & Beverages Coir & Specialty

* Tender Coconut Water (200ml)

  • Coco Peat

* Virgin Coconut Oil (500ml)

  • Coir Fiber

* Coconut Powder (25kg/200g)

  • Coconut Shell Tableware

* Low-Glycemic Coconut Sugar

  • Private Label Manufacturing

* Coconut Milk Cream

* Coconutta Juices (10 flavors with Nata de Coco)

Global Footprint

  • Exports: 20+ countries (EU, GCC, Australia, Southeast Asia)
  • Production: 100,000+ bottles daily (tender coconut water)
  • 50,000+ bottles (fruit pulp blends)
  • 10,000 kg/day processing capacity (from 500 kg in 1980)

Innovations:

  • CocoHeal – Diabetic wound care sheets (President & Prime Minister award recipient)
  • Zero-waste coconut utilization

Market Differentiation:

  • Regional Advantage: Sources 400ml-yield coconuts exclusively from Pollachi’s TJ Variety plantations
  • Global Brands: “Tender Cocoa” (India), “Tender Wonder” (GCC markets)
  • Shelf-Life Tech: Hot-fill pasteurization (72°C) enables 1-year stability

Challenges & Advocacy

 Operational: Seasonal shifts (1-3 shifts based on harvest cycles)

  • Policy: Advocating GST reduction from 12% on health beverages to support farmers
  • Logistics: Localized sourcing within 40km radius to minimize transport waste

Contact : SAKTHI COCO PRODUCTS

Unit No. 9/2, Sakthi Industrial Estate

Udumalpet Road, Pollachi-642003, Tamil Nadu

Phone: +91 4259 236890, 236053

Mobile: +91 77081 87878, 98422 51234

Email: sakthicoco@sakthicoco.com, sakthifibreproducts@gmail.com

Web – http://sakthi-coir.com/

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John Smith

ShankyTanky writes about emerging tech, AI, and practical tools shaping digital life. His work simplifies complex concepts for modern readers.

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