There were six non-traditional coconut export products that qualified to the top exports list, that is with export revenue of at least USD100,000 during the month. GLYCERIN took the lead with foreign exchange receipts of USD639,961 from shipment of 907 MT. Volume, however, slumped by 64.5% from 2,552 MT at the same time last year. China was market leader with 400 MT (44.1% market share); followed by United States with 270 MT (29.8%). Limited tonnages went to India 72 MT (7.9%), New Zealand 41 MT (4.5%), Korea 30 (3.3%), while 5 other countries together accounted for 95 MT (10.4%).

       SHAMPOO was the second biggest export with income of USD480,180 from sale of 163 MT. Shipment during the month rose by a whopping 149.5% from similar month year-ago at 65 MT. Pakistan was major buyer capturing 51 MT (31.4%). Ecuador took in 29 MT (17.8%). Other considered significant buyers like Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE held volumes ranging 12-15 MT for a combined share of 33.5%. Other countries comprising 17 countries jointly held 28 MT (17.3%).

       VIRGIN COCONUT OIL took the third spot with revenue of USD268,449 from delivery of 78 MT, slightly higher by 28.3% from prior year at 61 MT. A big chunk of the shipment went to United States at 56 MT or 71.5% while Germany took in 19 MT or 24.3% of total sales. Eight other countries took in no higher than 1 MT, among them South Africa, New Zealand, Australia.

       NATA DE COCO came in fourth with revenue of USD221,410. Volume which stood at 291 MT was a sharp drop by 41.2% from 495 MT in same period year-ago. Japan remained the top outlet with 250 MT (86.0%). The USA was far second at 15 MT (5.3%). Twenty other countries with volume 5 MT and lower jointly comprised 8.7%.

       COCONUT MILK POWDER ranked number five which earned USD193,079 from export of 84 MT. The volume slashed by 67.1% prior year data at 255 MT. France was top destination capturing 51 MT (60.8%). Smaller volumes went to Netherlands at 18 MT (21.5%), Japan 13 MT (15.4%), and US 2 MT (2.2%). Australia handled the balance.

       Cenapro Chemical Corp., an activated carbon manufacturer based in Cebu, has asked coconut farmers from six towns in Leyte to submit samples of charcoal from coconut shell for quality analysis. The company will visit and inspect the production processes of farmers at these towns, namely Tanauan, Dagami, Dulag, Burauen, Palo and MacArthur, as part of efforts to improve quality of coconut by-product from Eastern Visayas. Joel Pilapil, assistant regional manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Eastern Visayas, said Cenapro executives and about 50 coconut farmers agreed to improve the quality of coconut by-products such as charcoal.

       Key programs of the Department of Agriculture are up for review to determine if their growth targets for 2007 are achievable. DA officials led by Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap are to present overviews of the program on the production of major farm commodities, such as rice, corn, coconut, high-value commercial crops and livestock. In a two-day workshop, agriculture officials would also present status reports on the progress of the department’s various projects.

       Chemrez Technologies (ChemrezTech) said industrial and maritime users of diesel may also be a market for its coco-biodiesel products, adding the two industries would benefit from improved engine combustion as well as reduced carbon emissions. In a statement, the country’s largest producer of coco-biodiesel said that while users of biodiesel in the country are primarily land-based vehicles, industrial plants and sea-based transport will also enjoy the positive effects of using the alternative fuel. The company said industrial plants that use heavy fuel oil as a power source will also benefit from coco-biodiesel blending since the harder-to-burn industrial fuel oil will undergo improved combustion.

       While Indonesia expects palm oil output to grow sharply in the next two years, stricter forest protection could slow expansion. Indonesia is poised to overtake Malaysia as the world’s top palm oil producer this year because of rapid expansion in the last five years. Said Derum Bangun, executive chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association, “We expect to see output grow by 8% to 9% until 2009, but we have yet to see if we can sustain the growth beyond that period.”.

       China will have new standards for cooking oil which is due to take effect soon. Du Zheng, director of the Standards and Quality Center of State Administration of Grain, said they are considering a total of 92 standards for the cooking oil industry and expect the standard regulatory authority to issue some shortly. He added that thirty of the standards are almost decided upon, 10 of which address the edible sector.