Selected coconuts are peeled with a sharp tool called a Coconut Breaker or Kattari or Dao and cracked open to extract the coconut water, with germinated coconuts being separated and cut coconut sprouts and the white part of the coconut or `coconut meat` for food products removed by an expert worker in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on February 26, 2026. India is the largest producer of coconuts globally, accounting for around 31.45% of global production, with over 19 billion nuts produced each year. The industry adds Rupees 307 billion to GDP and supports 12 million livelihoods, primarily in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Major products include coconut oil, copra, and coir, with exports to over 140 countries, mainly Vietnam, the UAE, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the USA. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto) (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy / NurPhoto via AFP)