Philippine Exports of Coconut Products Down in Jannuary

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed the Philippines exported in January a total of 162,391 MT of coconut products expressed in copra terms. This is 31.3% below the 236,407 MT shipped out in the same month a year ago.  Gross export receipts dropped slightly by 6.6% to USD303.662 million from USD325.015 million, dragged mainly by sharply reduced coconut oil lifting.

Of the major exports, only desiccated coconut registered year-on-year increase with total at 11,892 MT rising 1.8% from 11,685 MT.  Coconut oil export at 89,491 MT fell steeply by 34.1% from 135,762 MT, copra meal at 13,124 MT slumped 57.0% from 30,538 MT, oleochemicals at 1,956 MT as copra contracted 31.3% from 2,846 MT.

Other products performed as follows, MT: coco shell charcoal 8,873 (-20.5% from 11,164 last year), activated carbon 5,468 (+16.1% from 4,710), virgin coconut oil 1,968 (-22.2% from 2,530), coco water 14,718 (+14.3% from 12,871), Others 18,981 (+20.3% from 15,774).