Reference
·Supporting source
PETA monkey-labour campaign export impact
~15-20% UK volume drop (2020-2021)
PETA's 2019-2020 monkey-labour campaign triggered an estimated 15-20% short-term decline in UK and EU canned coconut milk imports from Thailand as retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Waitrose, Morrisons) de-listed Chaokoh and selectively removed Thai-origin coconut products. Volumes have largely recovered since 2023 as exporters rolled out third-party audited supply-chain certification (Coconut Plus, Fair Labor Coconut), independent farm declarations, and direct sourcing from non-monkey-harvested plantations in southern Thailand. The episode is the most material reputational risk in the Thai coconut export book and remains a recurring NGO-pressure vector.
Figure in context
PETA's 2019-2020 monkey-labour campaign triggered an estimated 15-20% short-term decline in UK and EU canned coconut milk imports from Thailand as retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Waitrose, Morrisons) de-listed Chaokoh and selectively removed Thai-origin coconut products. Volumes have largely recovered since 2023 as exporters rolled out third-party audited supply-chain certification (Coconut Plus, Fair Labor Coconut), independent farm declarations, and direct sourcing from non-monkey-harvested plantations in southern Thailand. The episode is the most material reputational risk in the Thai coconut export book and remains a recurring NGO-pressure vector.
PETA's 2019-2020 monkey-labour campaign triggered an estimated 15-20% short-term decline in UK and EU canned coconut milk imports from Thailand as retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Waitrose, Morrisons) de-listed Chaokoh and selectively removed Thai-origin coconut products. Volumes have largely recovered since 2023 as exporters rolled out third-party audited supply-chain certification (Coconut Plus, Fair Labor Coconut), independent farm declarations, and direct sourcing from non-monkey-harvested plantations in southern Thailand. The episode is the most material reputational risk in the Thai coconut export book and remains a recurring NGO-pressure vector.
Time scope
2020-2023
Source basis
Supporting source
Interpretation notes
What this tells you
PETA's 2019-2020 monkey-labour campaign triggered an estimated 15-20% short-term decline in UK and EU canned coconut milk imports from Thailand as retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Waitrose, Morrisons) de-listed Chaokoh and selectively removed Thai-origin coconut products. Volumes have largely recovered since 2023 as exporters rolled out third-party audited supply-chain certification (Coconut Plus, Fair Labor Coconut), independent farm declarations, and direct sourcing from non-monkey-harvested plantations in southern Thailand. The episode is the most material reputational risk in the Thai coconut export book and remains a recurring NGO-pressure vector.
What not to do with it
Estimated short-term decline in UK Thai-origin canned coconut milk import volumes during peak boycott period. Long-term effect on global Thai coconut export book was less than 5%.
Related figures
Adjacent numbers that add context without drowning the value.
Thailand coconut production volume (2020-2024)
Office of Agricultural Economics, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand Coconut Association
Thailand coconut water export value (2020-2024)
Thai Customs Department, Department of International Trade Promotion, Thai Coconut Association, Vita Coco 10-K filings
Thailand coconut milk and cream export value (2020-2024)
Thai Customs Department, DITP, Theppadungporn Coconut, Thai Coconut, USDA GAIN reports
Thailand coconut value-chain product mix
Thai Customs Department, DITP, Thailand Coconut Association, Coconut Development Board comparative data
Theppadungporn Coconut (Aroy-D) parent group revenue
Department of Business Development, Aroy-D corporate disclosures, industry import tracking, SET filings for Thai Coconut
Thailand coconut-shell activated charcoal export value
Thai Customs Department, DITP, Carbokarn, industry trade press
Report context
Atlas actors in this figure's reports
Profiles covered in the report that cite this number.