Preliminary UCAP data show export of Philippine coconut products in February shrank by 33.5% to 80,997 MT in copra terms from same month last year at 121,862 MT, extending for the eighth month a succession of year-on-year deficit. The total, however, expanded last month shipment estimated at 55,895 MT by nearly one-half (44.9%). All products under review suffered setback during the month.

       Coconut oil shipment dwindled considerably by 37.2% to just 37,641 MT from 59,905 MT last year on recession-linked slack demand. Nearly one-half (49.9%) of total delivery or 18,791 MT went to Europe. The United States purchases amounting to 10,750 MT comprised 28.6% of total ship out, while China handled 6,000 MT (15.9%) and Japan 2,100 MT (5.6%).

       The biggest cutback was in copra meal with export crashing down by 71.4% to 17,540 MT from 61,236 MT. Korea retained its market leadership capturing 12,400 MT or 70.7%. Vietnam was back in the market absorbing 5,140 MT or 29.3%.

       Desiccated coconut export was cut by 16.9% to 7,937 MT from 9,552 MT and oleochemicals slashed by 25.2% to 8,978 MT as copra from 12,007 MT.

       The Board of Investment (BoI) has lifted the location restrictions imposed on biofuels projects. The move now makes production of biofuels anywhere in the country eligible for income tax holiday (ITH) incentives. The policy is part of a series of moves by the agency to assist its registered firms affected by the global financial crisis.

       Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary and BoI head Elmer C. Hernandez explained that previously, biofuels projects located in the National Capital Region and not export-oriented are not entitled to ITH. However, with the current global financial situation where prices of petro-based products are down, there is not much market for local biofuels companies. ?Since there is not much export market for biofuels given the low prices of gasoline, then biofuels companies should be allowed to serve the domestic demand regardless of location,? Hernandez said.

       At the recent POC2009 conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, speakers remarked that leading palm oil producers Malaysia and Indonesia heavily promoted diesel blended with 5% processed palm oil when crude oil prices soared last year. A crash in oil prices has undermined margins, even though palm oil prices have fallen heavily as well. Thus, mandates were seen as a way to create long term demand. Mr. Chandran, adviser to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, said current measures in Malaysia to enforce a low blend from next February did not go far enough.

       The Government of India has issued an order to remove the 20% import duty on crude soya oil in line with other crude vegetable oils. The government imposed the soya oil duty in November to protect local soybean producers from cheaper imports. The policy, however, resulted in an influx of imported palm oil and sunflower at record levels. The move elicited various reactions from industry.

       The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA), one of the country?s largest business associations counting 33,000 members, is renewing its call for federal government to regulate trans fat limits as recommended by a federal task force, or risk an ineffective, patchwork approach at the municipal and provincial levels. The call comes in the wake of the June 2009 deadline for the food industry to voluntarily reduce trans fat.

       Canola Council of Canada (CCC) Vice-President of crop production notes the rising yields for high oleic rapeseed varieties in the country, crediting the development on improvements in technology that make them easier for farmers to grow. New herbicide resistant varieties and premium payments combined to make high oleic rapeseed a popular option for producers. It has been estimated that area planted to the specialty rapeseed varieties accounts for 10-15% of total rapeseed plantings in the country. The CCC, through its ?Growing Great 2015?, aimed to expand this share to at least 25% by 2015.

       Researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the USDA?s Agricultural Research Service said growing the fungus Pythium irregulare in a crude glycerol and a yeast extract can lead to production of an EPA-rich biomass that could be used as an omega-3 fortified food. Zhiyou Wen, lead researcher told NutraIngredients that commercialization depends on many other factors including process optimization, the EPA yield/productivity, the price of EPA in the existing market, and the FDA approval of this product. Dr. Wen estimated that EPA-fortified food from biodiesel-derived crude glycerol could be available in at least three to four years, if everything works well.