US Import of Lauric Oils Up in October 2019

Data from Oil World show the US imported 95,900 MT of lauric oils in October 2019,  topping same month prior year total at 79,500 MT by 20.6%.  Of this total, coconut oil accounted for 57.5% or 55,100 MT (47,800 MT in the prior year) while palm kernel oil contributed 42.5% or 40,800 MT (31,700 MT). 

Indonesia was leading supplier of lauric oil to the US during the month responsible for 46.3% of total intake with 44,400 MT (35,900 MT) of which 10,200 MT (9,700 MT) was coconut oil and 34,200 MT (26,200 MT) was palm kernel oil.  The Philippines accounted for 39.5% with 37,900 MT (31,700 MT) of coconut oil shipment.  Import from Malaysia was 10,800 MT (10,600 MT) of which 4,400 MT (5,200 MT) was coconut oil and 6,400 MT (5,400 MT) was palm kernel oil and contributed 11.3%.  Market share of other countries combined was 2.8%, the equivalent of 2,700 MT (1,400 MT) of lauric oils comprising of 2,500 MT (1,200 MT) of coconut oil and 200 MT (200 MT) of palm kernel oil.  

The cumulative import figure for the 10-month period to October was 680,600 MT, down 4.5% from 713,000 MT at the same time last year.  Coconut oil was 388,000 MT (410,400 MT) with the Philippines supplying 66.6% at 258,600 MT (286,300 MT). Palm kernel oil was 292,600 MT (302,600 MT) where 74.8% or 218,900 MT (230,700 MT) originated from Indonesia.