Philippine coconut products export in April this year, based on preliminary UCAP data, plunged 40.0% year-on-year to 169,635 MT copra terms from 282,640 MT. The volume, however, was a massive recovery (+107.1%) from 81,929 MT estimated export in the prior month.

       Much of the decline came from coconut oil with total delivery slashed by 44.4% to 88,094 MT from 158,545 MT mainly on tight supply. Shipment of copra meal likewise dwindled vastly by 52.9% to 24,526 MT from 52,083 MT as crushing activity slowed due to low copra supply. Export of desiccated coconut similarly dropped though at moderate rate of 9.6% to 7,570 MT from 8,377 MT. Oleoche-micals remained the only bright spot with shipment still exceeding year-ago at 18,099 MT as copra from 18,030 MT (+0.4%).

       Europe was the primary destination of coconut oil export with 41,438 MT representing 47.0% of total delivery during the month. The United States captured slightly lower volume at 40,339 MT or 45.8%. Other markets were Malaysia with 3,002 MT, Japan with 2,535 MT, and Taiwan with 780 MT.

       There were eight non-traditional coconut export products that qualified to the top exports list in this category, that is with export revenue of at least USD100,000 during the month. Topping the list was coconut milk powder which grossed more than a million dollars in January this year. COCONUT MILK POWDER earned USD1.010 million from export of 381 MT. The volume rocketed by 87.7% from same month last year shipment of 203 MT. Top destination was Belgium with 102 MT (26.8% share), followed by Netherlands 77 MT (20.1%), Japan 75 MT (19.6%), Italy 49 MT (12.8%), Brazil and France 26 MT apiece (6.7%) and USA 14 MT (3.7%). The balance of 14 MT (3.7%) went to Others market.

       GLYCERINE was the second biggest non-traditional export with foreign exchange receipts of USD347,987 from 209 MT. Volume, however, slumped by 80.9% from 1,094 MT at the same time last year. Japan remained market leader with 75 MT (35.9%); followed by United States with 56 MT (26.5%), Taiwan 29 MT (13.7%), New Zealand 20 MT (9.6%) and other countries 30 MT (14.3%).

       LIQUID COCONUT MILK took the third spot with income of USD341,800 from sale of 266 MT. Volume during the month rose by a whopping 83.4% from similar month year-ago at 145 MT. Japan was major buyer capturing 103 MT (38.8%). The U.S. took in 71 MT, Netherlands 65 MT and Belgium 17 MT, with respective market share of 26.8%, 24.3%, and 6.4%. Other countries jointly held 10 MT (3.7%).

       SHAMPOO came in fourth with revenue of USD267,646. Volume which stood at 100 MT was slightly up by 16.3% from 86 MT in same period year-ago. Three countries namely Malaysia, Colombia and Thailand each took in equal volume at 27 MT (27% apiece). Limited amount went Mongolia at 9 MT, Hongkong 3 MT and U.S. 3 MT with combine share of 14.4%. Other countries contributed 4 MT or 4.5%.

       VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ranked number five with revenue of USD168,504 from delivery of 56 MT. The volume was four times the level of prior year at 14 MT. Virtually all shipment went to United States at 54 MT or 96.4% and the remainder was shared by Japan, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom, and Others.

       ALKANOLAMIDE, which filled in the sixth position, earned USD160,062 from export of 127 MT. The volume cut by 60.4% prior year data at 321 MT. Two major buyers were Saudi Arabia at 75 MT (59.2%) and Australia at 44 MT (34.8%), Others market held 8 MT.

       A Malaysian professor declares he has invented a bulletproof vest which is much lighter and cheaper than conventional models and made of coconut fiber and fiberglass. Professor Mohammed Dan Mohammed Palil of the Technical University of Melaka hopes to get government approval to start mass production of the items. Producers of items such as weapons and bulletproof vests need special permission from the defense ministry. The coconut fiber vest weighs only around 3 kilograms compared to 9 kilogram in the conventional jacket that offers similar level of protection and could be retailed for less than US$590 as opposed to US$4,700 in the other product.

       Huge biodiesel production will result to glut in byproduct glycerin in the market. Thus researchers are exploring more ways to utilize this byproduct. As an alternative food source for cattle is but one possibility. Study shows that glycerin has energy feed value equal to corn.

       An agriculture scientist at the University of Missouri-Columbia is examining the effectiveness of glycerin as cattle feed. Monty Kerley, professor of ruminant nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will monitor the growth habits of 60 calves from various breeds to determine if bio-leftovers provide a healthy main course to cattle. The study has two main priorities: first, to determine if glycerin has a positive or negative effect on calves’ growth performance and second, to assess its impact, if any, on meat quality.

       Starbucks has ended the use of artificial trans fats in products sold in its stores as it takes out partially hydrogenated oils from its ingredients. Trans fats are found in partially hydrogenated oils. The company says, despite the move it has retained the high quality and great tasting natural ingredients in their products. “Customers will always have a wide variety of choices at Starbucks to fit their needs and what they desire. While some products will have small amounts of naturally occurring trans fats from quality ingredients like butter, every choice will be free of artificial trans fat ingredients”, said Denny Marie Post, SVP of Global Food and Beverage for Starbucks.

       Malaysia and Indonesia, the world’s largest producers of palm oil, have agreed to undertake a coordinated effort to counter anti-palm oil campaigns in Europe and the US. The campaign, alleging that palm oil plantations destroy large areas of tropical forests, pushing endangered animals such as orangutans to extinction, has already impacted on palm oil consumption in both markets. In Europe, palm oil consumption has been reduced by 500,000 MT according to Malaysian Plantations Minister Peter Chin.