In the lush, green forests of Java, Indonesia, local smallholder farmers grow a variety of tropical crops; spices, coffee and of course, you will find the quintessential coconut palms. Except in this case, there are no coconuts hanging high up in the trees, but beautiful flowers.
Each day, farmers climb these coconut trees to harvest nectar by skillfully slicing the delicate flower buds that would otherwise develop into coconuts. The nectar is then cooked on a stove and transformed into granulated coconut sugar; a healthier alternative to most commercially available sweeteners.
The production of coconut sugar has long been a traditional practice in Indonesia. The sugar is a main ingredient used to produce kecap manis, a typical sweet soy sauce and staple condiment in Indonesian cuisine, and production is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and agricultural heritage.
Granulated coconut sugar, however, with its refined texture and higher quality, is considered a premium variation, setting it apart from traditional forms of coconut sweeteners.
Sustainable Organic Value Chains
Committed to developing sustainable, thriving, organic value chains, Tradin Organic approached a local partner in Indonesia more than 10 years ago, offering technical and financial assistance to boost capacity and process coconut nectar into highquality, granulated sugar with organic premiums for the global market.
The partnership developed into a highly collaborative supply chain with multiple partners, including dedicated processing facilities, ensuring the highest quality product, full traceability and organic integrity from farm to customer. Multiple certifications, such as EU Organic and Fairtrade, guarantee minimal impact on the environment, protection of biodiversity, and fair working conditions. And any coconut sugar derivatives are repurposed into coconut syrup, minimizing waste and maximizing value.
Working conditions of the farmers and their living income have significantly improved
Ongoing success has resulted in the collective partnership growing in scale by over 400% since the start in 2012. Working conditions of the farmers and their living income have significantly improved, and community investments also increased.
And the story continues! In 2024, Tradin Organic secured a grant from the Dutch RVO’s Social Sustainability Fund for a 3-year project, enhancing livelihoods for an additional estimated 2,275 farmers, while securing a sustainable supply of responsibly sourced coconut sugar.
Tradin Organic: Making Organic Everyone’s First Choice
Would you like to know more about the coconut sugar project in Indonesia, or any of the other products in our portfolio of over 150 ingredients, sourced from more than 70 countries? Come find us at our Booth 311 in Hall 5. Our team is happy to meet you and answer any of your inquiries! We’re also hosting several sessions diving into different aspects of the organic value chain from farm to fork. Click here for an overview of activities happening in our booth. See you soon!
- Find out more about Tradin Organic’s BIOFACH activities, product information, and more
Published in the BIOFACH 2025 Bio Eco Actual Special Edition.
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Read the BIOFACH 2025 Bio Eco Actual Special Edition
