US Import of Lauric Oils Up Slightly in April

Data from Oil World show US import of lauric oils in April rose slightly by 1.6% to 80,800 MT from 79,500 MT in a similar month a year earlier.  Of this total, coconut oil was 50,300 MT and palm kernel oil was 30,500 MT, for respective market share of 62.3% and 37.7%.  The increase in import was exclusively on account of coconut oil which saw shipment leaped 23.9% from April in prior year at 40,600 MT; import of palm kernel oil dropped 21.6% from 38,900 MT

Indonesia was still the leading source of lauric oils during the month accounting for 61.6% of total delivery at 49,800 MT (48,100 MT last year) thereof 20,300 MT (13,500 MT) was coconut oil, and 29,500 MT (34,600 MT) was palm kernel oil.  The Philippines contributed 25.0% by way of 20,200 MT (20,500 MT) of coconut oil only. 

India was third major source sharing 7.7% or 6,200 MT (100 MT) solely of coconut oil, followed by Malaysia which was responsible for 3.5%, or 2,800 MT (9,800 MT) consisting of 2,100 MT (5,600 MT) coconut oil and 700 MT (4,200 MT) palm kernel oil.  Import from other sources collectively represented 2.2% or 1,800 MT (1,000 MT), of which coconut oil was 1,500 MT (900 MT) and palm kernel oil was 300 MT (100 MT). 

The cumulative figure for January-April lauric oil imports stood at 521,700 MT, exceeding by 10.4% a similar period year-ago total at 472,600 MT.  Of the total, coconut oil was 309,700 MT (238,000 MT) of which 61.3% or 189,700 MT (164,400 MT) came from the Philippines.  Palm kernel oil was 212,000 MT (234,600 MT) of which 91.5% or 193,900 MT (172,100 MT) came from Indonesia.