Leading the pack was GLYCERIN which earned USD27.888 million from export of 20,398 MT. Volume during the year rose by 23.3% from 16,548 MT year-ago. Top destination was Japan with 12,778 MT (62.6% share), followed far behind by China with 2,183 MT (10.7%), Korea 762 MT (3.7%), New Zealand 658 MT (3.2%), and Iran 498 MT (2.4%). Twenty-one other countries shared the remaining volume of 3,519 MT (17.2%).

       Second biggest non-traditional export was TOILET/BATH SOAP with export receipts of USD5.714 million from sale of 2,366 MT. Tonnage rose by a whopping 121.3% from previous year at 1,069 MT. There were 58 country recipients of the product. Top five importers were: Pakistan 561 MT, United Arab Emirates 317 MT, Indonesia 348 MT, Singapore 268 MT, and Australia 252 MT with combined market share of 73.8%. The rest of the volume aggregating 620 MT or 26.2% were distributed to 53 other countries.

       NATA DE COCO took the third spot with income of USD5.453 million from shipment of 5,113 MT. The year?s volume was 11.5% higher than the previous year at 4,586 MT. This year?s export went 46 countries led by Japan which cornered 76.5% of total trade at uptake of 3,912 MT. The United States, U.A.E. and Canada likewise imported substantial quantities respectively at 392 MT (7.6%), 287 MT (5.6%) and 106 MT (2.1%). The remaining 416 MT or 8.1% were distributed to 42 other countries.

       VIRGIN COCONUT OIL came in fourth with revenue of USD5.342 million. Volume at 1,639 MT was substantially down by 11.6% from 1,854 MT of the prior year. The United States was primary buyer responsible for 862 MT or 52.6% of total sales. Moderate volume went to Canada at 395 MT (24.1%) and Belgium at 115 MT (7.0%). Thirty-three other countries shared the remaining volume of 267 MT or 16.3%.

       ALKANOLAMIDE ranked number five export with turnover of USD3.673 million from the sale of 1,871 MT. Purchases during the year rocketed by 136% from year-earlier at 770 MT. China was top market responsible for 691 MT or 36.9% of total delivery, tracked by Thailand 301 MT (16.1%), Malaysia at 305 MT (16.3%), Japan at 204 MT (10.9%) and Australia at 135 MT (7.2%). Ten other countries with sales of 45 MT or lower absorbed the remaining volume of 235 MT or 12.5%.

       COCONUT MILK POWDER landed sixth and earned USD3.426 million from delivery of 1,000 MT. The volume was 39.3% lower against the previous year at 1,648 MT. Malaysia was leading buyer capturing 197 MT or 19.7% of total sales while Japan handled 162 MT or 16.2%, trailed by Netherlands at 155 MT, United States at 150 MT and France at 121 MT, with respective share of 15.5%, 15.0% and 12.1%. The remaining 215 MT or 21.5% were distributed to 17 other countries.

       SHAMPOO came in seventh place with revenue of USD2.687 million from sale of 793 MT (1,470 MT a year-ago). This year?s market leaders were Malaysia at 164 MT, Taiwan at 148 and India which took in 97 MT, for respective market shares of 20.7%, 18.6% and 12.2%. Forty-two various countries took in the remaining 384 MT or 48.4%.

       LIQUID COCONUT MILK, which earned USD 1.884 million from export of 1,310 MT (1,928 MT) filled in the eighth place. Major buyers were United States with 500 MT (38.2%), Japan 378 MT (28.8%) and Netherlands 152 MT (11.6%). Twelve other countries shared the remainder of 280 MT or 21.4%.

       MAKAPUNO (coconut sport) was in ninth place with proceeds of USD1.850 million from 960 MT volume (900 MT year-ago). Export went to 43 countries. The United States was primary importer responsible for 408 MT or 42.5% of total sales. Significant amounts were imported by Canada 119 MT (12.4%), U.A.E. at 63 MT (6.5%) and Saudi Arabia at 56 MT (5.8%). The rest of the volume aggregating 314 MT was distributed to 39 other countries.

       Figures from Sri Lanka?s Coconut Development Authority show the country?s export of desiccated coconut in December 2008 soared by 60.3% to 3,997 MT from 2,494 MT in the same month year-ago. Average traded price during the month was USD1,300/MT FOB, a moderate drop by 7.9% from year-ago at USD1,412/MT FOB. Total export in January-December 2008 stood at 36,264 MT, down by 20.1% when compared with similar period year-ago at 45,393 MT.

       Figures from USDA show the United States imported lower volume of lauric oil in December 2008 compared to similar month year-earlier. Uptake at 42,123 MT was 33.3% short from year-earlier data at 63,225 MT. Coconut oil accounted for 52.1% of the total with 21,938 MT (41,302 MT year-ago), while palm kernel oil comprised the remaining 47.9% with 20,185 MT (21,923 MT). The decline in lauric oil import was shared by both oils with coconut oil providing the bigger decrement at 46.9% and palm kernel oil a much smaller 7.9% deficit.

       Malaysia was the biggest supplier during the month with delivery amounting to 20,891 MT (19,493 MT), of which palm kernel was 16,185 MT (18,423 MT) and coconut oil was 4,706 MT (1,070 MT), and shared 49.6% of total lauric oil trade. The Philippines contributed 17,197 MT (36,731 MT) or 40.8% of coconut oil only. Shipment from Indonesia at 4,035 MT (7,001 MT) which was made up of 35 MT (3,501 MT) coconut oil and 4,000 MT (3,500 MT) palm kernel oil accounted for 9.6%.

       Mexico recently reformed its law allowing experimental plots of genetically modified (GM) maize, effectively lifting the ban on the crop and paving the way to its commercial production by 2012. Alberto Cardenas, Mexican agriculture secretary, said GM varieties could boost production by 30%. The new legislation does not set any limits as to the size, number or location of trials plots.

       The European Union will be importing again rapeseed from Canada after the European Commission has authorized the importation of a genetically modified (GM) type of rapeseed. The authorization is valid for 10 years. Called T45, the GM approved-rapeseed is only allowed for food and animal feed uses in the EU. T45 rapeseed received a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority and underwent the full authorization procedure set out in the EU legislation.

       The California Olive Oil Council (COOC) projects another increase in the US state?s olive oil output in the current 2008/09 season to 650,000 gallons from 500,000 gallons last season and 250,000 gallons two seasons ago. The increase will be on account of an increase in planted area which has seen continuous expansion over the years. COOC estimates an increase of 10,000 acres annually until 2020 from the current 21,000 acres planted area. Consumption of olive oil in the US is also anticipated to increase as consumers look for healthier oil, COOC said.