Philippine Export of Coconut Products Up in April

Official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show export of coconut products by the Philippines increased 11.2% in April to 119,850 MT in copra terms from 107,804 MT in a similar month last year.  This is the first recorded monthly year-on-year growth this year.  Gross export receipts shot up 75.8% to USD175.896 million from USD100.045. 
All major exports registered year-on-year growth in traded volume excepting copra meal.  Coconut oil export gained 9.2% at 58,555 MT from 53,629 MT while by-product copra meal dropped 48.9% at 13,395 MT from 26,231 MT.  Desiccated coconut shipment leaped 31.9% at 10,995 MT from 8,336 MT, while oleochemicals slightly rose 1.2% at 9,906 MT as copra from 9,791 MT.
 
Other products performed as follows, in MT: coco shell charcoal 8,850 (+100.9% from 4,405 last year), activated carbon 5,782 (+25.9% from 4,592), virgin coconut oil 2,147 (+55.4% from 1,382), coco water 3,335, 251 liters (+26.4% from 2,639,476), fresh coconut 5 (-73.5% from 18), Others 29,976 (+172.6% from 10,994).
January-April export reached 495,918 MT in copra terms, lower by 18.0% compared to a similar period year-ago at 605,072 MT.  Breakdown is as follows, in MT: coconut oil 236,704 (320,494 last year), copra meal 80,276 (86,682), desiccated coconut 46,761 (47,651), oleochemicals as copra 47,901 (22,680); Coco shell charcoal 30,735 (27,926), activated carbon 24,762 (25,730), virgin coconut oil 12,207 (6,618), coco water 9.978 million liters (7.892 million), fresh coconuts 82 (74), others 114,350 (85,562).