Ensuring zero monkey labor across coconut harvesting is benchmarked by Theppadungporn Coconut Co. (TCC), a manufacturer and distributor of Chaokoh coconut milk. The Thai supplier has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local suppliers and farmers for monkey-free coconut cultivation, in addition to spearheading a transparent traceability program throughout its supply chain. Furthermore, the company distributes new coconut varieties to contracted farmers in Thailand, while conducting third-party farm inspections to review their social and environmental impacts.

“The company does not buy or support the use of all types of animal labor in harvesting products. Therefore, all coconuts from our suppliers must be harvested humanely with an animal-free method. All of our suppliers have agreed on the harvesting condition,” says Aphisak Theppadungporn, Managing Director at TCC.

“To achieve a sustainable goal, we work closely with our contracted farmers, who we consider as our business partners,” he notes. “Our business is related to natural products. It is our duty to take care of nature, human and wildlife, as a whole. We have a clear-cut policy on this issue to ensure that our business will not tolerate any sign of animal and wildlife labor or abuse.”

Chaokoh buys the mature coconuts from its contracted farmers in five Thai provinces: Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathiwat. The villagers harvest the coconuts using tools like a long bamboo stick or a pole pruner. Eligible farm inspections are also carried out to verify that the contracted coconut farmers meet Chaokohs sustainability requirements, including zero monkey labor harvesting.

To date, inspections have been conducted in the Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces. The review in the other three provinces is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The local farm’s audit also involves the third-party auditors from the Ministry of Agriculture to maintain transparency. The farmers who passed the audit will get a letter of certification from the ministry,” adds Theppadungporn.

TCC has been handing out more than 250,000 dwarf coconut varieties to the local farmers since 2010. The distribution of these crops are highlighted by the supplier as helping facilitate non-animal harvesting and improve good farming practices. 

To further promote the sustainable business practice, the supplier has opened its coconut processing factory and farms to the foreign diplomatic dignitaries and representatives from Europe and international media.

“The visit of TCCs factory and farms offers the international visitors a first-hand experience of witnessing the whole process of producing coconut milk, which the international standard and global consumer expectation are always TCCs priorities,” the company notes.

“We remain committed to ensuring that none of our products are associated with animal cruelty and willing to continue to support our local farmers towards the same goal,” adds Theppadungporn.

Sustainability in the farmed coconut sector still remains compromised, as recent headlines have highlighted. According to new research from the University of Exeter, UK, coconut oil threatens more species per liter produced than palm or other vegetable oils.