Glossary > Feed Ingredients > COPRA

Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. The name copra is derived from the Malayalam word kopra (കൊപ്ര) for dried coconut. Copra meal is also used as fodder for horses and cattle. Its high oil levels and protein are very fattening for stock and it is popular among horse enthusiasts.

The Philippines is the world's largest coconut producer and supplies much of the demand of copra meal around the globe. For example, copra meal exports totalled 586,173 mt in 1994 with 96% being exported to Europe, mainly to the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, and Italy. An additional 23,700 mt of unmilled copra (equivalent to around 7,347 mt of copra meal) was also exported mainly to Korea.

The volume of copra meal utilized locally for feeds is estimated to be at least 600,000 mt per year.