US Import of Lauric Oils Down in August

Figures from Oil World revealed the US imported 49,700 MT of lauric oils in August, mildly lower by 1.4% when compared with August last year at 50,400 MT.  The deficit was exclusively due to reduced coconut oil shipment by 25.7% as opposed to steep rise in palm kernel oil by 50.3%.  Respective shares in the lauric oil mix were almost split in the middle with coconut oil at 51.3% and palm kernel oil at 48.7%.  In absolute values, coconut oil import during the month was 25,500 MT (34,300 MT last year) and palm kernel oil was 24,200 MT (16,100 MT).

Indonesia was top supplier of lauric oils to the US during the month responsible for 53.5% at 26,600 MT (15,400 MT) thereof palm kernel oil at 20,000 MT (15,000 MT), and coconut oil at 6,600 MT (400 MT).  Malaysia followed with delivery representing 25.6% at 12,700 MT (1,400 MT) made up of 9,000 MT (500 MT) coconut oil and 3,700 MT (900 MT) palm kernel oil.  The Philippines was third at 8,000 MT (31,700 MT) which was solely coconut oil; market share was 16.1%.  Other markets contributed 4.8% or 2,400 MT (1,900 MT) comprising of 1,900 MT (1,700 MT) coconut oil and 500 MT (200 MT) palm kernel oil.

Running total for the eight-month period to August at 545,600 MT was 1.4% shy of same period last year data at 553,200 MT.  Coconut oil was 332,700 MT (294,100 MT) of which 58.6% or 194,800 MT (186,100 MT) came from the Philippines and palm kernel oil was 212,900 MT (259,100 MT), bulk of which or 89.6% at 190,800 MT (204,200 MT) originated from Indonesia.