‘Kuruthola’- A Unique Product Exported from Kerala for Churches in Europe & UK

Tender coconut leaves, traditionally known as "kuruthola," a one-of-a-kind product for the special occasion of Palm Sunday, were airlifted from Kochi to the United Kingdom and Europe on April 6, 2022. Palm Sunday is the Sunday preceding Easter. 263 kg of the product has been exported to Europe and the United Kingdom.

This is a typical distinct product, a different variety of one of Indian origin exported to the world. These fresh tender coconut palm leaves are being sent through courier to 40 locations in different countries & churches in the EU & UK.

Palm Sunday is celebrated in the remembrance of triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Christians around the world celebrate Palm Sunday, as the beginning of the Holy Week. Palm branches are a part of Christian worship on Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday.

Palm leaves are distributed among the believers on this special occasion as they symbolize goodness & victory. The distributed palm leaves are preserved till the next year and are burned into ashes on Ash Wednesday to apply on the forehead.

Agriculture & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry has facilitated the export of this unique product through its registered exporter, M/s. Geekey International, Thrissur Kerala.

This product has not been exported as it is, it is being processed in the packhouse recognized for export to EU by APEDA, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India & Directorate of Plant Protection & Quarantine, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’s Welfare, Govt. of India. These have been processed in M/s. Geekey’s Packhouse is located at Thrissur. 

This in fact is a traditional product that symbolizes auspicious beliefs, 'making the local reach the global' and augmenting prestige of Indian products in the global market. After they receive a good response they plan to send it in large quantities in future to EU, UK & other parts of the world on the special occasion of Palm Sunday.