Philippine Export of Coconut Products Up in May

Official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show the Philippines exported 185,023 MT of coconut products in May expressed in copra terms. This is a steep rise from last year at 123,506 MT by 49.8%.  Gross export receipts, however, gained only slightly by 3.3% at USD147.660 million from USD142.991 million driven for the most part by increased volume.

Export of coconut oil spiked 52.2% year-on-year to 100,580 MT from 66,097 MT while that of by-product copra meal slumped 68.9% to 13,468 MT from 43,363 MT.  Shipment of desiccated coconut likewise leaped 43.8% to 11,918 MT from 8,285 MT.  Oleochemicals similarly posted an appreciable 20.7% growth at 6,947 MT as copra from 5,756 MT.  There was no reported export of copra during the month although last year, shipment of 24 MT was reported. 

Other products performed as follows, in MT: coco shell charcoal 7,279 (-31.4% from 10,606 last year), activated carbon 7,399 (+34.0% from 5,521), virgin coconut oil 2,228 (+30.1% from 1,713), coco water 9.603 million liters (+90.1% from 5.052 million), fresh coconuts 135 (8.8% from 148), Others 10,796 (+31.4% from 8,219).

Export in January-May accumulated to 845,864 MT in copra terms, sizeably topping by 38.0% same time last year total at 612,863 MT.  Breakdown is as follows, in MT:  copra nil (69 last year), coconut oil 467,572 (337,793), copra meal 125,169 (176,658), desiccated coconut 54,131 (35,762), oleochemicals as copra 19,996 (21,324); coco shell charcoal 29,344 (33,378), activated carbon 34,790 (29,161), virgin coconut oil 8,658 (8,284), coco water 35.921 million liters (30.596 million), fresh coconuts 1,075 (+71.5% from 627), Others 61,468 (40,897).