Marketability of Coconut Water Product and Viability of Integrated Coconut Water and VCO Processing: Pantukan, Davao De Oro Case

It is estimated that 9.3 billion liters of coconut water from matured coconut are potentially wasted in the Philippines. PHilMech has developed a village level coconut water (CCW) processing system using a pasteurizer-chiller that is capable to produce bottled CCW beverage without any additives or preservatives. The study aimed to assess the marketability and viability of CCW processing system technology integrated with VCO processing. A cooperative with existing VCO processing operation with waste CCW problem agreed to integrate the system with their present operations. Results showed that recovery rate adopting CCW processing system was 90% with a capacity of 2,000 nuts per processing. Cold chain handling system for the pasteurized bottled CCW product with 21- days shelf-life posed a problem to penetrate the supermarkets with 3- month shelf-life requirement for products. Events, trade fairs or niche markets that consumed the product within one or two days were recommended. Partial budget revealed that the cooperator would earn additional income of P515,647.47 per year. Feasibility study results indicated good financial indicators