US Import of Lauric Oils Down Slightly in August

Data from Oil World show the US imported 64,200 MT of lauric oils in August, down by just 200 MT from August year-ago at 64,400 MT. Palm kernel oil accounted for 58.6% of the total with 37,600 MT (34,700 MT year-ago), while coconut oil comprised the remaining 41.4% with 26,600 MT (29,700 MT).

Indonesia was top supplier of lauric oil to the US during the month with shipment of 35,400 MT (27,000 MT) of which 22,400 MT (20,700 MT) was palm kernel oil and 13,000 MT (6,300 MT) was coconut oil, the equivalent of 55.1% of lauric oil total import. The Philippines was the second biggest origin, contributing 36.1% at 23,200 MT (26,900 MT) of coconut oil only. Malaysia shared 6.7% at 4,300 MT (4,300 MT) of which 200 MT (200 MT) was coconut oil and 4,100 MT (4,100 MT) was palm kernel oil. Deliveries from other countries totaled 1,200 MT (1,600 MT) of which 1,100 MT (1,300 MT) was coconut oil and 100 MT (300 MT) was palm kernel oil.  

The cumulative January-August figure stood at 536,300 MT, a drop by 6.7% from a comparable year-earlier period total at 575,000 MT. Coconut oil uptake was 304,300 MT (339,000 MT) of which 67.4% or 205,100 MT (239,000 MT) came from the Philippines. Palm kernel oil was 232,000 MT (236,000 MT) of which 76.0% or 176,400 MT (173,100 MT) originated from Indonesia.