The map below shows how copra production is distributed among the atolls. On some of the atolls, such as South Marutea, Mangareva and Makatea, copra was produced for only one year during the ten-year period under consideration, and these atolls were therefore not included in the statistical analysis, since these figures would have biased the growth rates. 

Copra production is one of the main sources of financial revenue on the inhabited atolls. Most of the members of the atoll population are engaged in this activity, which constitutes their main source of income, apart from the earnings made from pearl farming.

The coconut palm groves are highly exposed to cyclones. In 1982-1983, more than 2000 coconut trees were destroyed by cyclones on the atoll of Tikehau. The Rural Development Department ("Service du Développement Rural") is responsible for restoring this palm grove by replanting trees and applying fertilisers.

The atolls which achieved the highest total production figures, such as Takapoto, Puka Puka, Fakahina, Reao and Rangiroa, are also those on which a drop in the growth rates occurred between 1987 and 1997. The growth rate fell by 60% on the island of Rangiroa, and by 24% on Takapoto.

The only positive, really dynamic  growth rates recorded, on the other hand, were those involving small-scale production, possibly apart from  the islands of Anaa and Tematangi, each of which achieved an output of approximately 2000 tonnes. 
Generally speaking, the copra production figures are not correlated with the size of the atolls, since those with the largest areas of emergent land are not the most productive.
The composition of the soil is certainly one of the main factors contributing to the yield, although the same coral bedrock is obviously (and "luckily" for the coconut trees) to be found throughout the atolls. Niau, which is reputed for the fertility of its soil (citruses such as oranges and lemons are grown there, as well as fruit of other kinds, such as bananas), produced more than 1600 tonnes of copra during the ten-year period under consideration, and its output increased by 23% from 1987 to 1997.

In overall terms, however, copra production on the atolls has decreased conspicuously since 1957, although in most cases, the corresponding decrease in the income derived from this activity by the populations has been easily compensated for by the development of the pearl farming industry, especially on the islands of Manihi, Ahe, Takapoto, Takaroa and Fakarava...