Monday, January 16, 2006
N. Mindanao's coco exports up 13% in value
AT LEAST US$73.302 million worth of coconut commodities were exported free-on-board (FOB) in Northern Mindanao during the 3rd quarter of 2005, up by 13 percent over the US$64.156 million it exported in the same period of 2004.
"These exports also increased in volume by as much as 26 percent, from 117,574.67 metric tons in the same period of 2004 to 147,763.66MT in 2005," Luis G. Cruz, Philippine Coconut Authority regional manager, said.
"The FOB is a shipment condition wherein the buyer shoulders the payment of the cargoes and all that the shipper does is load the products for various destinations abroad," Ruiz said.
Of these exports, Cruz further said, Coconut Milk Powder posted the highest increase in FOB of 117 percent, from US$439,756.80 to US$952,935 and 94 percent in volume, from 180.44MT to 349.64MT.
Coconut Husk Chips follows posting a 79 percent increase in FOB, from US$8,559.10 to US$15,297, and 51 percent in volume, from 50.21MT to 76MT.
Refined Glycerine came next with a 72 percent hike in FOB, from US#327,940 to US#563,451 and 100 percent in volume, from 370.28MT to 741MT, while Copra Meal and Pellets also increased 39 percent in FOB, from US$2.313 million to US$3.217 million and 81 percent volume, from 26.967.17MT to 48,761.46MT.
Similarly, Crude Coconut Oil posted a 14 percent hike in FOB, from US$45.777 million to US$52.236 million with a 13 percent hike in volume, from 73,718.66MT to 82,939MT, while Fatty Alcohol posted a 13 percent hike in FOB, from US$9.896 million to US$11.215 million and 7 percent in volume, from 6,333.08MT to 6,764.90MT.
On the other hand, Coconut Shell Charcoal posted a 22 percent hike in FOB, from US$1.009 million to US$1.228 million, but a 3 percent drop in volume, from 4,342.33MT to 4,233.22MT.
Relapse
Other coco exports that suffered a setback in FOB are Desiccated Coconut, which dropped by 20 percent in FOB, from US$4.269 million to US$3.414 million, as well as a 25 percent drop in volume, from 4,743.03MT to 3,578.02MT, while Coconut Cream dropped by 16 percent, from US$548.756.85 to US$459,036, as well as 37 percent drop in volume, from 506.66MT to 319.49MT.
Similarly, the 2004 FOBs and volume of the following exports were noted: US$32,335 for 207.35MT of Coco Coir Fiber; US$92,010.60 for 151.06MT of Coconut Water, and US$4,352 for 3.4MT of Pister Coconut, a kind of Fatty Alcohol. No record, however, of the three are found in 2005.
Improve
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coconut Authority has embarked on a research to extend the shelf life of fresh coconut juice in light of an expanding market in North America, Middle East and Asia that are eager to gobble up natural health foods.
Recently, it has also planned to improve the quality standards for raw and unprocessed coconut products like "Nata de Coco" and "Buko" juice to increase the consumer base in the country, as well as abroad.
In a related development, coconut farmers are seen to benefit from the board changes of coconut levy-funded companies United Coconut Planters Bank and Coconut Industry Investment Fund, which are up for revamp as the Presidential Commission on Good Government begins to seek new nominees to replace some of the current directors. (Trends)
(January 16, 2006 issue)
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