What is coconut meal?

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Globally, millions of metric tons of coconut meal are produced annually as a valuable byproduct of the coconut oil industry. But what is coconut meal and how is this high-fiber, moderate-protein substance utilized by humans and animals?

Quick Summary

Coconut meal is the residue remaining after extracting oil from dried coconut meat (copra), primarily used as a cost-effective, high-fiber feed supplement for livestock like cattle and poultry.

Key Points

Byproduct of Oil Production: Coconut meal, or copra meal, is the residue left after oil is extracted from dried coconut meat.
Rich in Fiber: It is known for its high fiber content, which makes it particularly suitable for ruminant animals like cattle.
Moderate Protein Source: With 20-25% crude protein, it offers a solid protein supplement, though it is low in certain amino acids like lysine.
Versatile Animal Feed: It is a cost-effective feed option used for ruminants, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture, especially in coconut-producing regions.
Source of Coconut Flour: When hygienically processed, coconut meal can be milled into gluten-free coconut flour for use in baked goods for human consumption.
Supports Sustainability: Utilizing coconut meal helps to reduce waste from the coconut oil industry and promotes a more circular, sustainable agriculture system.

Defining Coconut Meal

Coconut meal, also widely known as copra meal or coconut oil meal, is the nutrient-rich, fibrous byproduct left over after the oil has been extracted from the dried meat of mature coconuts (copra). The resulting product is a coarse powder or flaky meal that retains a good portion of the coconut's nutritional value, making it a valuable resource, particularly in agriculture. This is distinct from coconut flour, which is a finer, more processed product intended for human consumption.

The Production Process

The creation of coconut meal is a direct consequence of coconut oil manufacturing. The process follows these general steps:

Harvesting and Drying: Mature coconuts are harvested, and the husk is removed to access the inner white meat. This meat is then dried, often via sunlight or mechanical dryers, to produce copra with a low moisture content.
Oil Extraction: The dried copra is either mechanically pressed (expeller pressing) or solvent-extracted to remove the oil. Mechanical pressing is more common and safer.
Processing the Residue: The solid residue left after oil extraction is the coconut meal. This material is then typically ground into a meal or formed into pellets for easier handling and incorporation into feed.

Nutritional Profile and Benefits

Coconut meal is valued for its nutritional composition, which makes it a useful supplement in animal diets.

Key Nutrients

Protein: Contains a moderate level of crude protein (around 20-25%), though it can be low in certain essential amino acids like lysine.
Fiber: Rich in dietary fiber, particularly non-starch polysaccharides like mannan, which aid digestion in certain animals.
Energy: The meal retains residual fat (2-12%) from the extraction process, which provides a good source of energy without the risks associated with high-starch feeds.
Minerals: Contains minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Animal Feed Uses

Due to its high fiber content and specific protein profile, coconut meal is most effectively utilized in ruminant diets, though it is also used for other livestock.

Ruminants (Cattle, Goats, Sheep): It is a highly palatable and excellent supplement for protein and energy, promoting weight gain and supporting milk production in dairy cows. Its low starch and high fiber are well-suited for their digestive systems.
Monogastrics (Pigs, Poultry): Use is more limited due to the high fiber content and low lysine levels, which can affect digestibility and growth if not managed carefully. Processing techniques like enzyme treatment or pelleting can help improve its value for these animals.
Aquaculture (Fish, Shrimp): Can be used as a partial replacement for more expensive protein sources like fishmeal or soybean meal.

Other Applications

Beyond animal feed, coconut meal has other uses:

Organic Fertilizer: Its mineral content makes it a natural and effective fertilizer for improving soil fertility and structure.
Functional Foods: When processed hygienically, the meal can be milled into high-fiber coconut flour for use in gluten-free bakery products for human consumption.

Comparison: Coconut Meal vs. Coconut Flour vs. Soybean Meal

To better understand coconut meal, it's useful to compare it with other related products. Here is a simplified comparison table based on information from various sources.


Feature	Coconut Meal (Copra Meal)	Coconut Flour	Soybean Meal	Palm Kernel Meal
Origin	Byproduct of dried coconut (copra) oil extraction.	Finely ground coconut meal; byproduct of coconut milk/oil.	Byproduct of soybean oil extraction.	Byproduct of palm kernel oil extraction.
Processing	Dried and pressed/solvent-extracted; ground into meal.	Dried and milled into a fine powder.	Heat-treated and ground.	Heat-treated and ground.
Protein Content	Moderate (20-25%).	Higher than fresh coconut, but variable based on processing.	High (35-50%).	Moderate (14-18%).
Fiber Content	High.	High.	Low.	Moderate.
Gluten	Gluten-free.	Gluten-free.	Gluten-free.	Gluten-free.
Primary Use	Cost-effective animal feed (especially ruminants).	Gluten-free baking and functional food ingredient.	High-protein animal feed for many species.	Animal feed, similar to copra meal.

Conclusion

Coconut meal is a versatile and economically valuable byproduct of the coconut oil industry, recognized primarily for its role as an affordable, high-fiber, moderate-protein feed supplement for livestock. While its high fiber and limited amino acid profile present certain challenges, especially for monogastric animals, its inherent nutritional value and palatability make it a sustainable and attractive alternative to more expensive feed ingredients in many tropical regions. Furthermore, its potential as a source for gluten-free coconut flour for human consumption adds another dimension to its utility, contributing to waste reduction and sustainable agricultural practices. For further scientific review of its properties and applications in animal feed, see the Copra Meal: A Review of Its Production, Properties, and Prospects paper published on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, coconut meal and coconut flour are not the same. Coconut meal (copra meal) is the rough byproduct left after oil extraction, primarily used for animal feed, while coconut flour is a finely ground and hygienically processed version of this meal, intended for human consumption.

Coconut meal is most commonly fed to ruminants like cattle, goats, and sheep, who can efficiently digest its high fiber content. It can also be incorporated into the diets of pigs, poultry, and fish, but usually in limited quantities.

Coconut meal typically contains 20-25% crude protein, 2-12% residual fat for energy, and is rich in dietary fiber. It also provides essential minerals like manganese, copper, and phosphorus.

The use of coconut meal is limited in some animal diets, particularly for monogastrics like pigs and poultry, due to its high fiber content and low levels of certain essential amino acids, such as lysine.

Coconut meal is made by drying the white meat of mature coconuts to create copra. Oil is then extracted from the copra using mechanical presses or solvents, leaving behind the solid residue known as coconut meal.

While the unprocessed meal is mainly for animal feed, it can be further processed into hygienic, finely ground coconut flour suitable for human consumption in baking and other functional food applications.

Yes, coconut meal is considered a sustainable product. By using the residue from coconut oil production, it helps reduce agricultural waste and creates a valuable resource, particularly in regions where coconut farming is prevalent.