Official data from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) show Philippine export of coconut products dropped 7.3% in calendar year 2009 to 1,514,942 MT in copra terms from 1,634,266 MT in a similar period year-earlier. Gross export proceeds at USD884.022 million declined more steeply by 40.8% from an all-time high of USD1.493 billion registered a year ago, mainly on vastly reduced prices notably coconut oil which plummeted 41.6% to USD711.68/MT FOB from USD1,219.48/MT previously.

       Export of coconut oil slipped 2.5% to 826,237 MT from 847,626 MT in prior year; by-product copra meal likewise fell 8.1% to 399,782 MT from 435,244 MT. Shipment of desiccated coconut contracted 18.4% to 116,421 MT from 142,626 MT and that of oleochemicals slumped 65.8% to 23,375 MT in copra terms from 68,318 MT. Limited volume of copra export at 84 MT was recorded during the year compared to nil last year. Other products performed as follows, in MT: coco shell charcoal 34,746 (+58.1% from 21,979 year-ago), activated carbon 20,027 (-1.1% from 20,259), glycerin 20,127 (-1.3% from 20,398), fresh coconuts 1,638 (-1.4% from 1,662), Others 25,854 (-5.0% from 27,213).

       PCA data also reveal export of coconut oil in 2009 was largely crude coconut oil (CNO) at 573,875 MT (69.5% of annual total). Cochin oil (refined, bleached oil) was 224,272 MT (27.1%) and RBD oil (refined, bleached and deodorized oil) merely 28,090 MT (3.4%). The coconut oil sector turned in USD588.016 million during the year, a precipitous dive by 43.1% from last year?s record high uptake of USD1.034 billion. The US was top importer during the year with consolidated purchases of 355,032 MT accounting for 43.0% of the market. The tonnage comprised of 183,326 MT CNO, 161,780 MT cochin oil, and 9,926 MT RBD oil. US was the leading importer of cochin oil and RBD oil during the year.

       The European market was a strong second with uptake of 347,812 MT (42.1%) which was almost exclusively CNO at 346,738 MT; cochin oil and RBD oil respectively totaled 526 MT and 548 MT. Asia & Pacific region was responsible for 13.7% or 113,251 MT made up of 42,985 MT CNO, 61,639 MT cochin oil and 8,627 MT RBD oil. Market leaders in the region were Japan and China. The former imported mostly cochin oil at 36,831 MT with CNO at 2,600 MT and RBD oil at 4,050 MT; while the latter took in mostly CNO at 24,030 MT with cochin oil at 501 MT and RBD oil at 3,239 MT.

       Although export of RBD oil was the least in quantity, it recorded the most number of country importers: US and Canada in North American; Bulgaria, Romania, Netherlands, Latvia, Germany, Greece, and Lithuania in Europe; Japan, China, Bangladesh, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, India and Hong Kong in Asia & Pacific; Iran, Pakistan, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Syria and Azerbaijan in the Middle East; Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela in Latin & Central America; and Russia.

       Export of copra meal in 2009 at 399,782 MT valued at USD47.926 million (USD58.207 million year-ago) went mainly to Korea and Vietnam. The Korean market at 232,927 MT accounted for 58.3% while Vietnam at 109,792 MT was 27.5%. Other markets had much smaller shares of 4.1% and lower: Japan 16,351 MT, China 16,170 MT, Taiwan 11,813 MT, Pakistan 7,000 MT, US 3,017 MT, Singapore 1,317 MT, Australia 1,133 MT, and Hong Kong 262 MT.

       For the month of December, Vietnam was top destination responsible of half (50.8%) of total sales with 32,050 MT. Korea contributed 31.4% or 19,800 MT and China 16.7% or 10,526 MT. Other markets were Australia 613 MT and Taiwan 128 MT.

       Export of desiccated coconut during the year amounting to 116,421 MT had the widest global reach counting 67 countries. The product generated USD145.657 million, slashing by 39.4% prior year record high of USD240.302 million. The US was still the primary market cornering a quarter (25.1%) of total turnover with 29,187 MT. The next 10 biggest importers with combined market share of 54.9% are as follows, volume in MT: United Kingdom 10,920, Netherlands 10,740, Belgium 8,509, Canada 6,579, Germany 6,494, Australia 6,300, France 5,606, Turkey 3,635, Japan 2,558, and Russia 2,552. Some 56 other countries accounted for 20% of the Philippine desiccated coconut market in 2009.

       Export of coconut shell charcoal in 2009 at 34,746 MT was worth USD11.190 million, an appreciable leap by 38.0% from USD8.107 million a year ago. Japan was the top market which represented nearly two-thirds of total (65.8%) with 22,859 MT, followed by China with 6,095 MT (17.5%) and Korea 4,172 MT (12.0%). Other importers were Singapore 788 MT, Taiwan 569 MT, United Kingdom 150, Hong Kong 95 MT and Saudi Arabia 19 MT. For the month of December, only Japan (1,319 MT), China (471 MT) and Korea (359 MT) registered purchases.

       Shipment of activated carbon during the year at 20,027 MT earned USD25.808 million, a slight rise by 2.9% from prior year at USD25.083 million. Next to desiccated coconut in terms of market coverage was activated carbon with outlets numbering 42 countries during the year. The top 10 buyers were jointly responsible for 80.3% of total sales and led by Japan with 3,795 MT (18.9%) and US with 3,648 MT (18.2%); then Germany 1,467 MT, Singapore 1,402 MT, Ghana 1,254 MT, Korea 1,155 MT, South Africa 969 MT, France 922 MT, Russia 804 MT, and Italy 674 MT.

       Virginia Dare, a New York-based flavor company, has released a range of natural flavors designed specifically for coconut water. Coconut water has been steadily gaining interest over the past couple of years and Virginia Dare says the new flavors could boost its appeal still further, including those who might not like its natural taste. The flavors include mango, orange, lemon-lime, guava, pineapple and passion fruit.

       Researchers from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill claim that high intakes of trans-fatty acids may increase the risk of stroke in post menopausal women by 30 percent. The study was the first to examine the associations of different fats and different subtypes of ischemic stroke in post-menopausal women. Senior author Dr. Ka He, associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at UNC said the findings appear to support the American Heart Association recommendation for keeping trans-fat intake at less than 1 percent of energy.