Philippine coconut products export in May this year slumped anew according to preliminary UCAP data. Volume stood at 144,682 MT copra terms, recording a 37.9% shortfall from 233,068 MT in a similar month a year ago. The figure likewise dropped from prior month total at 169,635 MT by 14.7%.

       All of major export products suffered setback with the exception of oleochemicals which posted substantial growth of 25.3% from 14,070 MT in copra terms to 17,631 MT. The sharpest drop was registered in coconut oil with total delivery during the month slashed by 43.9% to 70,756 MT from 126,045 MT on account of tight supply and strong domestic market. Consequently, export of by-product copra meal declined sizably by 31.2% to 26,184 MT from 38,075 MT. Shipment of desiccated coconut fell 22.1% to 9,534 MT from 12, 242 MT.

       UCAP data also revealed the United States cornered bulk of coconut oil shipment during the month with 29,913 MT to account for 42.3% of aggregate. Europe was close second with 28,541 MT which comprised 40.3% of total. Other buyers were Malaysia with 7,502 MT and Japan with 4,800 MT for respective market share of 10.6% and 6.8%.

       The Department of Energy (DOE) said oil company, Pilipinas Shell, complies with the Biofuels Law, which prescribes blending of at least 1 percent of coco-biodiesel (coco methyl ester) in all diesel engine fuels sold in the country, ever since it came into effect on May 07, 2007. This was confirmed by a DOE team which conducted a spot inspection at the Pandacan depot.

       Data from the Philippine Coconut Authority show six 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: shampoo, nata de coco, glycerin, virgin coconut oil, liquid coconut milk and toilet/bath soap.

       SHAMPOO was the leading non-traditional export with revenue of USD984,383 from export of 375 MT. The volume rocketed by 650% from the same month last year shipment of 50 MT. Top destination was Nepal with 133 MT (35.5% share), followed by Singapore 83 MT (22.2%), Malaysia 60 MT (16%), Pakistan 30 MT (8.1%), China 21 MT (5.5%) and Thailand 16 MT (4.4%). The balance of 31 MT (8.3%) went to 18 other countries.

       NATA DE COCO was the second biggest export with revenue of USD304,944 from 298 MT. Current volume, however, substantially reduced by 32.7% prior year total at 443 MT. There were 23 country recipients of this product with Japan leading the pack at 231 MT (77.5%), though volume was a substantial cut by 39% from same period year ago at 378 MT. Hongkong, Canada, USA, UAE and Korea held collectively 37 MT or 12.4%; and 17 other markets with uptake of less than 1 MT each for a total of 30 MT jointly accounted for the remaining 10%.

       GLYCERIN occupied the third spot with income of USD234,129 from sale of 252 MT. Volume, however, slumped by 75.2% from 1,016 MT in the same period year-ago. Japan remained market leader with 43 MT (16.9%); followed by New Zealand with 38 MT (15.2%), Malaysia and Vietnam at 20 MT apiece (7.9%) and USA 19 MT (7.3%). Seven other countries jointly contributed 113 MT (44.5%).

       VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ranked number four with revenue of USD191,859 from delivery of 46 MT. The volume during the month rose by a hefty 187.5% from similar month year-ago at 16 MT. Almost all of the shipment representing 89.1% or 41 MT went USA and the remainder went to Malaysia 3 MT, United Kingdom and Australia at 1 MT apiece, and four other countries with combined uptake of 1 MT.

       LIQUID COCONUT MILK came in fifth place and generated income of USD178,674 from 137 MT export. Total delivery during the month cut prior year data at 223 MT by 8.6%. Three major buyers were USA at 72 MT, Japan at 48 MT and Netherlands 16 MT which respectively shared 52.6%, 35% and 11.7% while Others market held 1 MT.

       US scientists have developed a technology that would turn glycerin, a biodiesel production by-product, into another biofuel which is ethanol. Rice University Assistant Professor Ramon Gonzalez and colleagues identified the metabolic processes and conditions that allow a strain of E. coli to convert glycerin into ethanol. He estimated the operational costs to be 40% cheaper than those of producing ethanol from corn.

       Malaysian Palm Oil Board Chairman Datuk Sabri Ahmad urged Malaysian palm oil firms to initiate efforts to raise yield and oil extraction rates from existing plantations to meet increasing demand for biofuels feedstock in Europe and that the task extend even to smallholders to ensure additional supply both for food and biofuel needs. He noted that the European Union (EU) is formulating laws so that biofuels make up 10 percent of energy usage by 2010 from only 2 percent currently, adding that the 10 percent will roughly translate to 30 million MT of vegetable oils, an initiative important for business perspective.

       Data from the country’s agricultural agency, SovEcon show Russian sunflower oil export declined in April to 73,100 from 88,000 MT a month ago and 93,900 MT in April year-ago. The shortfall was tied to rising domestic demand from households and industry as well as increase in refining capacity. SovEcon forecasts Russia’s sunflower oil exports for 2006/07 season at 600,000MT, down from 620,000 MT in 2005/06.

       An official of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said the country would approve no projects designed to produce ethanol fuel with food material from now on. Instead, China may entirely switch to nonfood materials such as cassava, sweet potato, sorghum and cellulose to produce said fuel. The county has been trying to avoid occupation of arable land, consumption of large amounts of grains, and damages to the environment in developing the renewable energies.