Philippine Export of Coconut Products Down in August

Official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show the Philippines exported in August 144,277 MT of coconut products measured in copra terms.  This is 14.7% down from same month last year at 169,206 MT but a sharp rise by 46.4% over previous month at 98,544 MT.  Gross export receipts totaled USD157.458 million, a steep fall by 30.3% from last year at USD225.966 million mainly on substantial drop in coconut oil revenue.

Export of coconut oil declined 20.3% year-on-year to 72,360 MT from 90,822 MT, copra meal rocketed 157.7% to 30,921 MT from 12,001 MT, desiccated coconut hiked 17.7% to 16,314 MT from 13,858 MT, oleochemicals climbed 16.0% to 4,198 MT as copra from 3,619 MT.  Other products performed as follows, in MT: coco shell charcoal 4,185 (+49.6% from 2,797 last year), activated carbon 6,975 (+20.8% from 5,773), virgin coconut oil 2,497 (-17.7% from 3,033), coco water 7.407 million liters (-5.9% from 7.870 million), fresh coconuts 133,624 nuts (-5.7% from 141,733 nuts), Others 13,089 (+24.7% from 10,497).

Export in January-August accumulated to 1,034,780 MT in copra terms, recording a 9.5% shortfall from 1,143,033 MT at the same time last year. Aggregate revenue at USD1.230 billion was 20.3% below prior year at USD1.544 billion.  Breakdown of shipment by volume is as follows, in MT: copra 92 (88), coconut oil 556,460 (624,710), copra meal 251,007 (96,804), desiccated coconut 77,024 (71,724), oleochemicals as copra 32,335 (40,451); coco shell charcoal 51,372 (21,320), activated carbon 48,484 (48,609), virgin coconut oil 15,835 (17,713), coco water 54.365 million liters (56.163 million), fresh coconuts 971,958 nuts (858,989 nuts), Others 74,364 (99,611).