Phoenix was recently selected by Vita Coco to help exclusively launch the fast-growing brand’s new organic cold pressed coconut oil product in the UK.

The Vita Coco Organic Coconut Oil range includes three sizes: 250, 500 and 750ml jars. Made using cold pressed coconut oil from the Philippines, the 250 and 500ml sizes are available in a glass jar; the 750ml size is available in a plastic jar. The new products are sold in Tesco, on Amazon and at Whole Foods Markets in the South East.

The UK coconut water market is growing quickly, with sales presently estimated at £100 million a year. Vita Coco leads this trend and is the top performing coconut water brand. Coconut oil is Vita Coco’s latest offering and the brand’s first non-beverage product. While Phoenix was the contract filler for the oil, labeling was designed by the brand in association with New York creative agency Madwell.

Phoenix expects to produce 250,000 units of Vita Coco Organic Coconut Oil, capitalising on consumers’ growing appreciation for the wellness properties of the coconut.

“Vita Coco has already established itself as the biggest player in the UK for coconut water. Now it’s moving into the fast-growing market for coconut oil and we’re pleased to be able to support this increasingly global brand. The Vita Coco brand emphasizes quality at every level. A delicate heating and filling process was required in order to produce a cold pressed oil of such high quality. And because Vita Coco chose to source organic coconut oil, Phoenix had to become accredited by Organic Farmers & Growers Ltd before packing on the company’s behalf. I’m pleased to say we’ve delivered a finished range that should become a food essential for health-savvy consumers over the next few years.”
Ben Guy, MD of Phoenix

Coconut oil melts at 24°C, which means Vita Coco’s product leaves the Philippines as a liquid but arrives in the UK as a solid. To preserve the product’s integrity, Phoenix gently heats the oil for 10 hours up to 30°C in order to melt the oil for filling without causing damage or risking its cold pressed status.

It is then bottled as a liquid into high quality, UK sourced jars, secured with ‘lollipop’ security seal labels and packed for dispatch.

Vita Coco recently became one of the first clients to use Phoenix’s bespoke suite of apps, which allows for real-time customer reporting on quality control, production progress and stock levels.

“When Phoenix told us they were developing this software we were pleased to be the first customer to use it. While the use of app technology is now widespread in other industries, logistics and contract packing have both lagged behind until now. This new software could be the start of a move to change all that, making supply chains smoother and supplier-customer relationships stronger.”
Ben Wright, Director of Global Supply Chain for Vita Coco

Phoenix reported a 35 per cent increase in output year-on-year during the 12 months to October 2014. With turnover rising by 15 per cent over the same period to more than £1 million, the Nottinghamshire-based company is predicting a further 50 per cent growth in sales during the year ahead.

In addition to its contract services, Phoenix bolstered its cold pressed oils production last year with new contracts to supply branded and private label food oils listed in ALDI, ASDA, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.