There are several compelling reasons why international buyers, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and individuals associated with the agriculture and horticulture industries, prefer buying coco peat in bulk. The most common reason is cost efficiency, just like any other industry, buying coco peat in bulk allows you to save money per unit. Additionally, bulk buying also saves shipping charges in many cases, resulting in an overall saving.

If you are also looking to buy coco peat in bulk, then there are certain key points you must take into account before making the purchase. To understand these key points, be sure to read the blog to the end to access useful information.

Introduction to Coco Peat

Before getting into the details, let’s first understand what coco peat is and why it is growing popular for export. Coco peat is another name for coco coir; in simple terms, it is a by product of the coconut. It is derived from the husk of the coconut shell, and is becoming a popular substrate for growing many plants because of its water retention ability. Talking about its texture, it is spongy and non-fibrous. What makes coco peat so useful and important in horticulture and agriculture is because of its following properties;

• It has great water and moisture retention.
• It allows great air exchange, which helps in good root growth.
• It is lightweight.
• It is eco-friendly and sustainable; it can be used for several years without requiring any major maintenance or changes.
• It is resistant to molds and fungi.
• It is safe and clean, as it is pasteurized and sterilized to remove the risk of any potential contamination.

Benefits of buying Coco Peat in Bulk

Cost Effective

As discussed above, buying coco peat in bulk can save you money as it allows you to make the purchase at a lower price per unit and also reduces or waives the shipping charges.

Better Quality

When you buy coco peat in bulk, you can be sure of its quality as it comes from the same batch. The quality of coco peat is dependent on its texture, moisture level, and pH levels. When buying a bigger batch of coco peat, you can uniformly monitor and check the quality of the coco peat.

Prevents Stock shortage

It is important to maintain your coco peat storage when using it for regular potting or large-scale plantations. By buying coco peat in bulk, you don’t run out of storage, and it is easier to maintain inventory.

Sustainable and eco-friendly

When you buy coco peat in bulk, it is usually delivered in packaging that is more eco-friendly and sustainable compared to small packaging that comes in plastic bags.

Ease of customization

One advantage of buying coco peat in bulk is the ease of customization. When you order a bulk of coco peat, the suppliers facilitate you to provide coco peat as per your requirements. As we know, certain supplementation is added to coco peat to add to its nutritional content, such as vermiculite or gypsum. When buying in bulk, you can maintain ratios of supplementation added as per the requirement of the plant and get a customized bulk of coco peat.

What International buyers should check before buying a Bulk of Coco Peat

The following are the aspects a buyer should consider before buying a bulk of coco peat;

Quality Standards

Before buying coco peat, it is important to have an idea of what type of coco peat you are in search of. Coco peat is usually available as washed or unwashed. The major difference between washed and unwashed coco peat is the content of salt present. Unwashed coco peat tends to have high levels of salt, which can trigger the growth of sensitive plants. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference and place an order as per your requirement.

The second thing you need to check is the electrical conductivity of the coco peat, which generally indicates and measures the salt content present in it. For sensitive crops, low electrical conductivity is favorable.

Another important thing to check is the pH levels of coco peat, which should be between 5.5 to 6.8, making it slightly acidic.

Texture

It is important to ensure the texture of coco peat; the interference of too many dust particles in the composition of coco peat hinders and affects its water retention ability and air exchange.

Moisture Level

One thing about coco peat that you should never ignore is its moisture level. Coco peat should be slightly wet, or we can say damp. If it is overly wet, it may get contaminated and affect your plant growth.

Packaging

The packaging of coco peat depends on how the supplier provides it to you. It is important to communicate with your supplier and discuss the type of packing you want, whether it is plastic wrap, a jute bag, or palletized. Coco peat should be properly dried and stored to prevent the risk of fungal attack.

Shipping Terms

If you are doing an international purchase of coco peat in bulk, make sure to confirm compliance with phytosanitary regulations. Keep a check on your delivery, whether it is delivered on time or not.

Top Exporting Countries of Coco Peat

Let’s have a look at the countries that are the primary or leading exporters of Coco Peat, these include;

• Sri Lanka – Colombo
• India – Chennai, Tuticorin
• Indonesia – Jakarta, Surbabaya
• Philippines
• Vietnam

Apart from these, some secondary suppliers are emerging in the industry, including;

• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Brazil

How to Avoid Scams or Poor Quality

Getting scammed by a supplier is possible, therefore, it is important to cross-check the product quality and verify the supplier’s credentials before placing a bulk order. By following the steps, you can avoid scams and be sure of the quality of coco peat.

Suppliers Credibility

Before placing your order, do your complete research about the supplier. Check their certifications, website, and customer reviews. Make sure to use a reliable platform to place your order.

Ask for a Sample

Before placing a bulk order, ask for a small sample from the supplier to assess the overall quality, moisture level, and texture of coco peat.

Secure your Payments

Always use secure methods of payment to avoid scams.

Agreement with the supplier

Make a written agreement with the supplier and discuss the unit of coco peat, along with per-unit rate, delivery time, and shipping cost.

Track shipment

Once your order is shipped, track your shipment regularly and also ask the supplier to provide your custom documents for further clearance and trust.

Hire a third-party inspection agency

If you still don’t feel safe, you can also opt to go for a third-party inspection agency.

Conclusion

If you are willing to place your bulk order of coco peat, Earth Scape can be a great one-stop solution for you. We import high-quality coco peat all across the world with on-time delivery and exceptional customer service. We are a team of highly professional staff, based in Sri Lanka, and have been benefiting our customers for the past 20 years. You can visit our website and contact us for a supplier list or a quote.

FAQs about Coco Peat Importing

• Is it better to buy washed or unwashed coco peat?

It depends on the type of plant species you want to grow; washed coco peat has low salt levels and is preferable for sensitive plants.

• What should be the pH values of an ideal coco peat?

Coco peat ideally should be acidic with a pH value ranging between 5.5 to 6.8.

• How to make sure the coco peat is free from pests?

To ensure coco peat is free from pests, it is sterilized by baking in the oven or a pressure cooker.

• How to cross-check if the coco peat is free from pests and diseases?

Most countries ask exporters to provide a phytosanitary certificate.

• How can I check the quality of coco peat before placing a bulk order?

You can ask the supplier to provide you with a small sample to test and evaluate before placing a bulk order.

• How can I check if the exporter is genuine and professional?

Check the company’s website, their certifications, and the company’s registration.

• How long does the bulk order of coco peat take to arrive?

Production usually takes 7-14 days, plus, depending on the destination, the shipping can take up to 3 to 6 weeks.