After two games (June 29 and July 6), the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) team remained in the lead. It is tracked by POMS Ventures Corp. (POMS), CIIF Oil Mills Group, Mitsubishi Living Essentials-E.U. Sons Trading-Pacific Royal Basic Foods, Inter-Asia Marine Transport (Inter-Asia), RACO-Transeaboard, San Miguel Corp. Agribusiness, Pilipinas Kao, United Coconut Chemicals, Sakamoto Orient Chemicals, Cargill Philippines, Dumaguete Coconut Mills (Ducom).

       The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) takes the lead in celebrating the National Coconut Week on August 24-30, 2007. The annual event was pursuant to Proclamation No.142 issued by then President Corazon Aquino in 1986. This celebration aims to impress on the public the richness in the coconut industry in terms of product versatility and applications and in its manpower resources, the greater number coming from the more than 3.5 million coconut farmers and farm workers.

       Data from the Philippine Coconut Authority show eight non-traditional coconut products generated during the month revenue of at least USD100,000. Leading the pack was SHAMPOO which earned USD719,933 from export of 229 MT. The volume during the month rose by a hefty 175% from 83 MT year-ago. Top destination was Pakistan 88 MT (38.5% share), followed by Thailand with 41 MT (17.8%), Taiwan 39 MT (16.8%). Malaysia, China and Fiji held collectively 37 MT or 16.2 %. Nineteen other countries shared the remaining volume of 24 MT (10.7%).

       GLYCERIN was the second biggest export with revenue of USD584,945 from 973 MT. Current volume, however, substantially dropped by 8.3% from prior year total at 1,061MT. There were 8 country recipients of this product with Japan leading the charge at 821 MT (84.4%). Other destinations held less than 5% such as Turkey 48 MT, New Zealand 43 MT, Singapore and Taiwan at 20 MT apiece, and three other markets with combined uptake of 21 MT.

       COCONUT MILK POWDER took the third spot with income of USD446,699 from shipment of 175 MT. Volume, however, fell sizably by 28.1 % from 244 MT of the previous year. Export went to 8 countries led by France which cornered 43.7% of total trade at 77 MT. Netherlands, Italy, Japan and Taiwan likewise imported substantial quantities respectively at 26 MT (14.6%), 24 MT (14%), 23 MT (13.4%) and 22 (12.6%). The remaining 3 MT or 1.8% was distributed to 3 other countries. 

       VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ranked number four with revenue of USD357,001 from delivery of 131 MT. The tonnage rose by a massive 3,049% from similar month year-ago at merely 4 MT. Almost all shipments went to just two countries: the USA with 77 MT and Canada with 54 MT which respectively shared 58.4% and 40.8%. Three other countries took in small quantities totaling 1 MT.

       NATA DE COCO was fifth, earning USD316,890. The month’s volume was 357 MT, 27.1% short of the previous year at 490 MT. Virtually all shipments went to Japan at 288 MT or 80.6% of total sales. Limited volume went to the U.S. at 22 MT (6.1%), China at 11 MT (3.1%). Nineteen other countries took in 7 MT or lower with combined market share of 10.2%.

       TOILET/BATH SOAP came in sixth and generated income of USD267,475 from 89 MT export. Total delivery cut prior year data at 280 MT by 68.2%. Singapore was the biggest destination capturing 43 MT or 48.2% of total market, followed by United Arab Emirates at 16 MT (17.8%), Malaysia at 10 MT (11.5%). Twenty-four other countries received lower than 5 MT for a total of 20 MT (22.5%).

       LIQUID COCONUT MILK took the seventh place with revenue of USD173,775 from sale of 131 MT (93 MT year-ago). Market leaders were U.S. at 40 MT, Netherlands 31 MT, Belgium 28 MT and Japan 15 MT, with corresponding market shares of 30.6%, 23.8%, 21.5%, and 11.7%. A dozen other countries took in volume no higher than 10 MT for a total of 16 MT (12.4%).

       Figures from the Coconut Development Authority in Sri Lanka revealed the country’s export of desiccated coconut in March stood at 3,810 MT, an appreciable increase by 37% from same period year ago at 2,783 MT. The shipment was worth USD4.208 million as against USD2.542 million year-ago. The first quarter total export shot up by 53% to 11,106 MT from 7,278 MT at the same time a year ago.

       Figures from the USDA show U.S. import of lauric oil dropped 17.7% in May this year, mainly on account of reduced uptake of palm kernel oil. Total import amounted to 53,025 MT which recorded a shortfall of 11,412 MT from year-ago at 64,438 MT. Palm kernel oil import declined substantially by 42.1% to 15,325 MT from 26,454 MT, while that of coconut oil fell only slightly by 284 MT to 37,700 MT from 37,984 MT. Coconut oil accounted for 71.1% of total lauric oil uptake and palm kernel oil 28.9%.

       The Philippines remained a leading supplier of lauric oil with shipment of 35,052 MT of coconut oil during the month. The volume leaped 48.8% from year-ago at 23,562 MT. Supply from the Philippines made up nearly two-thirds (66.1%) of total. Malaysia was second biggest origin of lauric oil contributing 22.5% at 11,954 MT, lower by 57.9% from year-ago at 28,389 MT. This comprised mainly of palm kernel oil at 9,325 MT (19,853 MT year-ago) and coconut oil at 2,629 MT (8,436 MT). Indonesia contributed 11.4% at 6,020 MT, down 51.8% from last year at 12,486 MT. The product mix consisted of 6,000 MT palm kernel oil (6,501 MT) and 19 MT coconut oil (5,985 MT).

       Wilmar International Limited, one of Asia’s largest integrated agribusiness groups, has secured shareholders approval for all of its US$4.3 billion merger and acquisitions proposals. At the Group’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM), shareholders approved the acquisition of the edible oils, oilseeds, grains and related businesses of its parent company, Wilmar Holdings Pte Ltd for USD1.6 billion.