The tournament kicked off last Wednesday at the SM Bowling Center, SM Megamall, in Mandaluyong City, with 10 teams participating. Following is the team standing as of the first playoff: (1) United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), defending champion; (2) Inter-Asia Marine Transport, (3) Minola (CIIF Oil Mills), (4) Cargill Philippines, (5) Pilipinas Kao, Inc., (6) Transeaboard-Raco, (7) Sakamoto Orient Chemicals, (8) Mixed Nuts (EU Sons Trading, Iligan Bay Milling and Trading, Mitsubishi Corp.Living Essentials, Pacific Royal Basic Foods), (9) Dumaguete Coconut Mills, (10) Intertek Testing Services Phils.

       Data from the Philippine Coconut Authority show eight non-traditional coconut products qualified to the top exports list in this category based on revenue generated during the month of at least USD100,000. These were: glycerine, alkanomide, toilet/bath soap, nata de coco, shampoo, virgin coconut oil, coconut milk powder and laundry soap.

       GLYCERINE was the leading non-traditional export with revenue of USD1.619 million from sale of 1,374 MT. The volume rocketed by 444.2% from the same month last year shipment of 252 MT. Top destination was Japan with 960 MT (69.9% share). Limited volume went to Korea 90 MT (6.6%), Taiwan 80 MT (5.8%), China 62 MT (4.5%), Iran 57 MT (4.1%) and Indonesia 40 MT (2.9%). The balance of 84 MT (6.1%) went to 5 other countries.

       ALKANOMIDE was a strong second with receipts of USD748,284 from delivery of 550 MT. This month’s volume was a massive 1,086.2% leap from 46 MT at the same time year-ago. There were 7 country recipients of this product with Malaysia leading the pack at 250 MT (45.5%), followed by Japan at 204 MT or 37.1%. China and Denmark took in limited volume respectively at 32 MT and 23 MT, while three other countries had combined import of 41 MT.

       TOILET/BATH SOAP occupied the third spot with income of USD607,642 from sale of 342 MT. Current volume shot up by 425.8% from similar month year-ago at 65 MT. Singapore and Australia were top markets each taking in 123 MT (36.0%). Smaller volume went to U.A.E at 27 MT (7.8%), Malaysia 23 MT (6.8%), Vietnam 10 MT (2.8%), and 21 other countries whose aggregate uptake was 37 MT.

       NATA DE COCO ranked number four with earnings of USD345,651 from delivery of 372 MT. Volume this month rose by 25.1% from previous year at 298 MT. Almost all of the shipment representing 82.3% or 306 MT went Japan and the remainder went to United States 30 MT, United Kingdom 10 MT, Canada 5 MT, Netherlands 4 MT and Guam 3 MT. Fifteen other countries shared the remaining 14 MT or 3.8%.

       SHAMPOO came in fifth place with turnover of USD280,379 from 90 MT export. Total delivery during the month shrank from prior year at 375 MT by 76.1%. India was top buyer of the month responsible for 46 MT or 51.6% while Thailand handled 18 MT or 19.7% and United States took 10 MT or 10.8%. Fifteen other countries led by U.A.E. had uptake at much lesser volume no bigger than 3 MT.

       VIRGIN COCONUT OIL was the sixth top export and turned in USD246,159 from 90 MT shipment. This month’s tonnage nearly doubled prior year total at 46 MT. Market leader was U.S. at 46 MT (50.9%), trailed by Canada at 26 MT (28.9%) and Germany at 15 MT (16.9%). Ten other countries led by Japan took in a combined load of 4 MT.

       COCONUT MILK POWDER occupied the seventh place with proceeds of USD195,102 from trade of 68 MT. Volume this month was more than thrice the prior year total at 22 MT. Top outlets were Japan and Netherlands at 26 MT apiece (38%). Taiwan at 12 MT accounted for 17.6%. Limited amounts went to the United States at 4 MT and Jordan at 1 MT.

       Ric M. Pinca, Executive Director of the flour millers association said recently that local bakers have agreed to use in their products cocoflour which is P10 cheaper than wheat flour. He said that 10 to 15 percent of cocoflour may be added to pandesals, cookies and other breads. The use of cocoflour, however, will not translate to lower pan de sal prices but it will give bread makers relief from high input prices. Cocoflour will have little to no effect on the taste of bread, depending on the quantity of cocoflour added to the mix. Additionally, it is even good for the consumers because it is high in fiber.

       Reports from Jakarta say the European Union was to issue a regulation restricting the imports of oleochemicals from palm oil and coconut oil starting this month. EU has earlier boycotted palm-oil-based bio-diesel from Indonesia since mid January of this year saying that it is destroying tropical forests for oil palm plantations. According to the association of biodiesel producers, the new regulation will surely limit import of oleochemicals from palm oil, kernel oil and coconut oil from the country.

       McDonald’s declared last month its French fries are now trans-fat-free in all its restaurants in the United States and Canada. McDonald’s has lagged other restaurant operators in switching over to a zero-trans fat cooking oil out of worries it would compromise the taste of its trademark fries. It has been under increasing pressure from consumer advocates and some public officials to make the change.