Aussies are urged to boycott popular coconut products sold at Coles and Woolworths amid allegations their farms use MONKEYS to pick the fruit

Australians have been urged to boycott certain coconut products sold at Coles and Woolworths over allegations their farms use monkey labour.  

Animal cruelty organisation PETA claims farms that supply Thai companies Chaokoh and PCC have been using monkeys to pick coconuts for their cream, water and milk. 

PETA investigators found cruelty to monkeys at the farms and facilities of the food company. 

'When not being forced to pick coconuts or perform in circus-style shows for tourists, the animals were kept tethered, chained to old tires, or confined to cages barely larger than their bodies,' the organisation said in a statement. 

PETA investigators visited eight farms where monkeys are forced to pick coconuts-including those for Thailand's major coconut milk producers

'One coconut farmer confirmed that when monkeys are terrified and try to defend themselves, handlers may have their teeth pulled out.' 

PETA said it visited eight farms 'where monkeys are forced to pick coconuts-including those for one of Thailand's major coconut milk producers, Chaokoh, as well as several monkey-training facilities and a coconut-picking competition. 

At each one, they documented that these sensitive animals were abused and exploited.' 

PETA is calling on Australians to avoid coconut products made in Thailand, where monkey labour is commonplace.

'If consumers can steer away from Thai products, and particularly Chaokoh and PCC labelled products that are sold in Australia, then that will go a long way to sending the message that things need to change,' PETA spokesperson Emily Rice said. 

Woolworths stocks the Chaokoh coconut gel in syrup and the sweet canned corn, while Coles sells the company's natural coconut water cans. 

In July last year, Chaokoh denied the allegations and said their farms don't use monkey labour. 

Woolworths stocks the Chaokoh coconut gel in syrup and the sweet canned corn, while Coles sells the company's natural coconut water cans

In the US, Target and Costco have stopped purchasing Chaokoh coconut milk after the allegations came to light.

Ms Rice said monkeys are usually captured in the wild as babies before being put in cages so small that they 'can barely turn around'. 

'Video footage shows them chewing their own limbs. They can even sometimes have their teeth removed to stop them from defending themselves,' she said. 

The PETA report stated 64 farms out of 817 had been randomly selected and 'did not find the use of monkey for coconut harvesting.' 

Ms Rice said monkeys are usually captured in the wild as babies before being put in cages so small that they 'can barely turn around'

PETA said it visited eight farms 'where monkeys are forced to pick coconuts-including those for one of Thailand's major coconut milk producers, Chaokoh 

Thailand last year produced more than 806,000 tonnes of coconut and exported coconut milk worth nearly $400 million. 

Last year the Thai government claimed 'using monkeys for the coconut industry is almost non-existent'. 

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said human labour had long ago replaced monkeys.

'But there may still be the pictures of monkey collecting coconuts for tourism on video clips, which created a misunderstanding,' Jurin said.

A spokesperson categorically confirmed that Coles do not sell any products from farms using monkeys in their supply chain.

'At Coles we support the highest standards of animal welfare and believe any mistreatment of animals is unacceptable,' they said.

'We have investigated allegations surrounding the use and mistreatment of monkeys in Thailand to harvest coconuts and can confirm that none of our Thai coconut suppliers use monkeys in this manner.'

Woolworths also responded to the allegations from PETA.

'At Woolworths, animal welfare standards are fundamental to our customers, suppliers and business and we treat any allegations of mistreatment seriously,' a company spokesperson said in a statement.

'We have previously been given assurances from our suppliers that they don’t engage in these practices within their supply chains, but will follow up the specifics of these claims.'