U.S. Import of Lauric Oils Up in August

Data from Oil World show the U.S. imported 83,600 MT of lauric oils in August  this year, sharply increasing by 30.2% from August year-ago at 64,200 MT.  Of this total, coconut oil accounted for 47.8% or 40,000 MT (37,600 MT year-ago) while palm kernel oil contributed a bigger share of 52.2% or 43,600 MT (26,600 MT). 

Indonesia was top supplier of lauric oil to the U.S. during the month with shipment of 53,100 MT (35,400 MT) of which 18,500 MT (13,000 MT) was coconut oil and 34,600 MT (22,400 MT) was palm kernel oil, the equivalent of 63.5% of total lauric oil import.  The Philippines contributed 23.3% with 19,500 MT (23,200 MT) of coconut oil.  Malaysia shared 11.6% or 9,700 MT (4,300 MT) of which 8,800 MT (4,100 MT) was palm kernel oil and 900 MT (200 MT) was coconut oil.  Purchases from other countries totaled 1,300 MT (1,300 MT), of which 1,100 MT (1,200 MT) was coconut oil and 200 MT (100 MT) was palm kernel oil.    

The cumulative January-August data at 587,000 MT rose by 9.4% from a comparable year-earlier period total at 536,300 MT.  Coconut oil uptake was 327,200 MT (304,300 MT) of which 62.4% or 204,300 MT (205,100 MT) came from the Philippines.  Palm kernel oil was 259,800 MT (232,000 MT) of which 77.9% or 202,400 MT (176,300 MT) came from Indonesia.