US Import of Lauric Oils Up Sharply in February

Figures from Oil World showed the United States imported 76,700 MT of lauric oils in February, a steep rise by 51.0% from 50,800 MT in a similar month a year earlier.  Coconut oil accounted for 64.9% of this total at 49,800 MT and the balance of 35.1% was palm kernel oil at 26,900 MT.  The increase in lauric oil import was exclusively on account of coconut oil which leaped 155.4% from last year at 19,500 MT; palm kernel oil import declined 14.1% from 31,300 MT.

Indonesia was the largest supplier of lauric oil to the US during the month responsible for 62.1%, with delivery of 47,600 MT (18,500 MT last year) which consisted of 21,500 MT (300 MT) coconut oil and 26,100 MT (18,200 MT) palm kernel oil.  Shipment from the Philippines at 26,600 MT (18,200 MT) of coconut oil contributed 34.7%.  Purchases from other countries shared 2.5% at 1,900 MT (10,900 MT) made up of 1,700 MT (1,000 MT) coconut oil and 200 MT (9,900 MT) palm kernel oil.  Import from Malaysia was 600 MT (3,200 MT) which was solely palm kernel oil.

January-February lauric oil import tallied 162,100 MT, topping by 20.6% a similar year-ago period total at 134,400 MT.  Coconut oil comprised the bulk of this total at 106,700 MT (62,500 MT) of which 65.2% or 69,600 MT (51,000 MT) came from the Philippines.  Palm kernel oil was 55,400 MT (71,900 MT) of which 88.4% or 49,000 MT (49,500 MT) came from Indonesia.