Coconut,called the tree of life because of its many uses and versatility is one of the most important crops in the Philippines as it substantially contributes to income and foreign exchange earnings. The country continues to be one the world's leading suppliers of traditional coconut products which include copra meal and coco oil. From a sunset industry due to unstable and declining copra price, the situation was reversed when high-value by-products were developed and the industry was able to expand and diversify. Among the emerging products are coconut methyl ether, activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, coco coir and peat and handicraft items. Various coco products are now gaining global recognition given its health and aesthetic values.

Davao Oriental is the leading coconut producer in the Philippines. It produces an average of one billion nuts annually covering a total crop area of 156,837 hectares. The major products exported by the province through the International Copra Export Corporation are crude oil and copra pellets. Records show that export of 816,863 metric tons of crude oil and pellets from 1997 to 2001 is valued at $ 185.7 million.

With the province's advantages in terms of volume and area in coconut production, it can still explore of new opportunities offered by the industry both in the domestic and export markets.