Table of Contents

Page/s: The Executive Director Speaks “The Coconut Comeback Assures Wealth and Health under the Coconut Trees!”..……………….………………..….…….. 2

Prevailing Market Prices of Selected Coconut Products and Oils ...... 3-4

Market Analysis of Coconut Oil…...... 5-6

Community News ...... 7-25

Trade News ...... 25-27

Coconut Technology News ...... 27

Bio-Diesel News .……………………………………………………………………… 27

Other Vegeoil News ...... 27

Did You Know ...... 27-28

Coconut Recipe “Peanut Butter, Banana and Coconut Muffins” ...... 28

STATISTICS ...... 29-30

Table 1. Indonesia’s Monthly Exports of Coconut Oil (in MT), 2014-2016

Table 2. Philippines’ Monthly Exports of Coconut Oil (in MT), 2012-2016

Table 3. International Prices of Selected Oils, September 2013- August 2016, (US$/MT)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SPEAKS …………………………………………...

“The Coconut Comeback Assures Wealth and Health under the Coconut Trees!”

E very 2nd September is commemorated as World Coconut Day signifying the importance and overwhelming impact of the coconut to humanity in over 90 countries in which the coconut grows and in many more that do not grow but consume a lot of coconuts and products of coconut in many different ways. This has earned the coconut’s reputation as the Tree of Life. The recent hosting of the 2016 Malaysia’s National Coconut Conference by the UPM Alumni ran under the theme ‘Coconut: The Sunrise Industry’. A similar position was taken at the COCOLINK 2016 International Coconut conference in Davao, Philippines, to encourage coconut stakeholders in continuing with the business of coconuts. Similarly the upcoming 47th APCC COCOTECH Conference in Bali, Indonesia, 26-30 September 2016 would discuss innovation efforts that would influence and impact largely on what is termed as the Coconut Comeback. Some of these are: . Interesting clinical studies into the nutrition and health benefits of coconut and its products; . Development of high value coconut products supported by technological advancements to produce for niche markets; . Mitigating impediments to growth beginning at farm level in managing threats of emerging pests and diseases of coconut as well as the devastating effects of climate change to protect existing plantings from being wiped out as Philippines experienced with the recent incidence of Coconut Scale Insect which follows closely after the Typhoon Hayan that destroyed over 30 million coconut trees; . A number of countries are experiencing an acute shortage of coconut planting material to replenish the senile coconut population not to mention new plantings. The innovations through tissue culture are showing promising indications of the potential for rapid multiplication hence the mass production of coconut seedlings to be able to meet the demand for coconut planting that is very quickly setting upon the industry. . Manufacturers of equipment and machinery for use in the coconut industry at all stages of the processing of coconut, its products and related by-products are faced with the challenge of continuously improving their products for greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness and meeting the changing requirements of the market place; . Stringent quality standards based on high food safety requirements mostly by the consuming countries is prompting processors of coconut products to ‘lift their game’ by use of innovative technology and knowledge applied towards improved processing methods that meet the relevant quality standards and consumer requirements. . Stakeholder groupings are improving mechanisms by which they are able to work together as farmers, processors, traders and industry interest groups in forms of clusters, cooperatives and associations for continuous improvement needed to remain viable and profitable. It is encouraging to observe that generally the markets of coconut products are consistent and steady most of the time though some indications of slightly lowering prices in some product categories. An increasing experience is the declining volumes of raw material initially in terms of fresh coconuts for further processing into high value products such as the VCO, coconut water, milk, cream, desiccated coconut and a few more. This is the current scenario in the South Eastern Asian countries of Thailand, Malaysia and China who buy mostly from Indonesia thus causing even greater shortage with local processors now operating on less than 50% capacity. APCC continues to encourage its member countries to pursue an aggressive planting program to replace senile palms as well as a concerted effort in developing new coconut lands so that the increasing demand for coconuts is met in the years ahead.

URON N. SALUM Executive Director, APCC

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 3

PREVAILING MARKET PRICES OF SELECTED COCONUT PRODUCTS AND OILS

Price of CNO increased in Philippines and month, and was US$31/MT higher than the Indonesia, but decreased in Sri Lanka. The last year price for the same month. price of DC increased in Sri Lanka, and The average domestic price of copra meal in Indonesia, but decreased Philippines. Sri Lanka decreased by US$9 compared to COPRA: The price of copra in Indonesia was the last month price of US$256/MT, and was US$801/MT in August, which was lower than lower than last year price of US$288/MT for last month’s price of US$818. When the same month. compared to last year’s data for the same DESICCATED COCONUT: The average month the price was US$111 higher. price of desiccated coconut (DC) FOB USA in In the domestic market of the Philippines August 2016 was US$2,458/MT. This price (Manila), the price decreased by US$ 51/MT was US$23 lower than the previous month’s compared to the price in July 2016, and about price and US$427 higher than the price of the US$191/MT higher compared to the price of same month last year. In Sri Lanka, the US$695/MT in August 2015. domestic price of desiccated coconut in August 2016 was US$2,031/MT or US$124 COCONUT OIL: The average price of lower than the price in July 2016. Meanwhile, coconut oil in Europe (C.I.F. Rotterdam) for the price of DC in the domestic market in the the month of August 2016 increased by Philippines was US$1,468/MT, which was US$4/MT to US$1,499/MT from US$12 lower than the previous month’s price US$1,495/MT in July 2015. This price was at US$1,480 and US$352 lower than the higher by 44.5% when compared to the price price in the same month last year. Indonesian of August 2015 accounting for US$1,037/MT. price in August 2016 was US$2,080/MT, The average local price of coconut oil in the decreased by US$45/MT compared to the Philippines in August 2016 was last month’s, and increased by US$130 from US$1,463/MT. This was US$4 higher than last year’s price. the price in July 2015, and it was US$413 COCONUT SHELL CHARCOAL: In Sri higher if compared to the last year price for Lanka, the average price of the commodity in the same month which was US$1,032/MT. August 2016 was US$332/MT. The price was The average domestic price of coconut oil in US$63/MT lower than previous month’s price. Indonesia in August 2016 increased by US$3 The average price of charcoal in Indonesia compared to the previous month from for August 2016 was US$373/MT, which was US$1,480/MT to US$1,483/MT. August 2016 US$4 higher than last year’s price for the price was 45% higher than the price of the same month. same month of 2015 which was COIR FIBRE: Coir fiber traded in the US$1,022/MT. domestic market in Sri Lanka was priced at COPRA MEAL: The average domestic price US$182/MT for mix fiber and US$552 - 759 of the commodity in the Philippines at selling for bristle. The Indonesian price for mixed raw points was quoted at US$248/MT. The price fiber was US$246/MT in August 2016 which was US$12 higher than price of the previous was lower than last month’s price.

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 4 | Page

Price of Coconut Products and Selected Oils (US$/MT) 2016 2016 2015 2016 Products/Country Aug. July Aug. (Annual Ave.)

Fresh Coconut

Philippines (Dom. Husked) 186 199 156 225 Copra Philippines/Indonesia (CIF N.W. Europe) 981 988 689 950 Philippines (Dom. Manila) 886 937 695 886 Indonesia (Dom. Java) 801 818 690 773 Sri Lanka (Dom. Colombo) 1,306 1,203 1,025 1,142 Coconut Oil Philippines/Indonesia (CIF Rott.) 1,499 1,495 1,037 1,426 Philippines (Domestic) 1,463 1,459 1,032 1,367 Indonesia (Domestic) 1,483 1,480 1,022 1,377 Sri Lanka (Domestic) 1,893 1,878 1,912 1,802 Desiccated Coconut Philippines FOB (US), Seller 2,458 2,481 2,031 2,304 Philippines (Domestic) 1,468 1,480 1,820 1,472 Sri Lanka (Domestic) 2,037 2,161 1,971 2,029 Indonesia (Domestic) 2,080 2,125 1,950 2,090 Copra Meal Exp. Pel. Philippines (Domestic) 248 236 217 250 Sri Lanka (Domestic) 247 256 288 261 Indonesia (Domestic) 245 230 247 242 Coconut Shell Charcoal Philippines (Domestic), Visayas, Buyer 339 341 353 345 Sri Lanka (Domestic) 332 395 299 396 Indonesia (Domestic Java), Buyer 373 369 349 373 Coir Fibre

Sri Lanka (Mattress/Short Fibre) 182 182 154 184 Sri Lanka (Bristle 1 tie) 552 552 491 544 Sri Lanka (Bristle 2 tie) 759 758 822 784 Indonesia (Mixed Raw Fibre) 246 248 298 282 Other Oil Palm Kernel Oil Mal/Indo (CIF Rott.) 1,276 1,258 771 1,174 Palm Oil, Mal/Indo (CIF Rott.) 676 692 571 673 Soybean Oil (Europe FOB Ex Mill) 825 810 738 783

Exchange Rate: August 30, 2016

1US$= P46.46 or Indo.=Rp13.255 or India=Rs67.12 or SL=Rs146.87 Euro=US$1.12 n.q.: no quotes

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 5

MARKET ANALYSIS OF COCONUT OIL

After experiencing a bearish market in decline by 4.2% compared to the previous 2015, coconut oil market showed a reverse year following the decrease in production of trend in the first half of 2016. An expected coconut. The shortfall of coconut production low copra production in main producing in the Philippines is mainly due to severe countries such as Philippines and Indonesia dryness besides a persistent impact of has driven coconut oil prices to increase. typhoons and pest attacks. Hence, it seems Price of coconut oil in December 2015 was that coconut production in the Philippines US$/MT 1,150 in Rotterdam and increased would take a longer period to recover. As for by 30.7% to US$/MT 1,499 in August 2016. Indonesia, copra production is predicted to In international market, coconut oil (CNO) decline by 7.1%. The decrease in copra plays a complementary role with palm production in Indonesia is mainly due to a kernel oil (PKO). Thus, the increase in price long drought in 2015 which is expected to of CNO has inevitably brought the price of lower coconut production up to 40%. Apart PKO to move up and vice versa. Since the from the severe dryness, the decline in price of CNO increased, it has pulled copra production is also attributed to the upward palm kernel oil (PKO) prices. Price competition for raw materials with other of PKO in December 2015 was US$/MT 832 coconut products such as desiccated and increased to US$/MT 1,276 in August coconut and also a sharp increase in 2016 or improved by 50.7%. The significant exports of fresh coconut. Meanwhile, increase in price of PKO has been reduction in area, the senility of coconut narrowing the current unusually large price palms and a slow progress in replanting discount of PKO vis-à-vis CNO. The price programs have also contributed to the drop premium of coconut oil over palm kernel oil in coconut production. in December 2015 was US$/MT 300 and The shortage in the global production narrowed down to US$/MT 223 in August has, furthermore, restrained an increasing 2016. trend in the global demand. The effect was It is expected that though the market perceived in 2014 when the world export of witnesses a bullish trend in the first quarter coconut oil eased to the volume of 2.146 until second half of 2016, the price of CNO million MT or experienced a year-on-year would remain stable. The high premium decrease by 4.9% after experiencing a price over PKO would restrain an increasing substantial increase in previous two years at trend in price of CNO, on the other hand the an average annual growth rate of 10%. In expected low production in copra will hold 2015, the global exports of the commodity the price of CNO to further decrease. declined by 1% following a negative trend in the previous year. The reverse trend of The production of coconut oil is global CNO exports is expected to take a expected to be lower following a shortage of longer time as the exports data from two copra supply and coconut production. Copra major exporting country show a decreasing production in the Philippines, the top trend during the first quarter of 2016. It is coconut oil producer, in 2016 is predicted to

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 6 | Page not only due to a shortage of raw materials material, copra, as main source countries as a result of a long drought in 2015 but such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea also competition with other lauric oil, palm faced the same problems due to kernel oil (PKO). The unusual high premium unfavorable weather condition in 2015. price of CNO over PKO has also contributed Indonesia, as the second largest to the shift in the global demand from CNO exporting country, has also been affected by to PKO. the drop in copra supply. Export volume of As copra production has been hardly coconut oil from Indonesia decreased by recovered, exports of CNO from Philippines 1.6% in 2015 from 771,419 MT in 2014 to also eased in 2015. Exports of the 759,381 MT in 2015. In the first half of 2016 commodity slightly dwindled from 856,973 exports of CNO from Indonesia dropped by MT in 2014 to 853,152 MT in 2015 or 21.2% compared to the same period in decreased by 0.4%. In the first quarter of 2015. The decline was mainly due to a 2016, export of CNO from Philippines still shortage in raw materials not only due to a showed a decreasing trend. During the long drought but also due to competition for January-April 2016 period, exports of CNO raw materials with other coconut products from Philippines were 185,885 MT or such as desiccated coconut. Indonesia’s decreased by 39.7% compared to the same coconut oil was mainly shipped to United period of 2015. Europe, USA, and Japan States, China, Netherlands, Malaysia, and were the main destinations of coconut oil South Korea which have been considered from the Philippines and have become as traditional markets for coconut oil from traditional markets of the Philippines’ Indonesia. The US has been the largest coconut oil. Netherlands absorbed for more importing country for coconut oil from than 56% of the Philippines’ total export of Indonesia for years. From January to June the commodity in the period of January-April 2016, 29.9% export of coconut oil from 2016, and about 24% went to USA. 5% of Indonesia was sent to the US. Meanwhile, the commodity shipped to Japan. Exports of export of coconut oil to China, Netherlands, coconut oil from Philippines significantly Malaysia and South Korea was 19.3%, declined since the industry has faced 15.9%, 11.9% and 9.5% respectively. difficulties in finding new source of raw

Monthly Price of Lauric Oils, 2010-2016

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 7

sessions on coconut industry development, expanding opportunities for coco coir and COMMUNITY NEWS catapulting the Philippine coconut products for the global market, INDONESIAN MINISTER OF TRADE PHILIPPINE COCONUT AUTHORITY’S VISITS APCC SECRETARIAT ZAMBOANGA RESEARCH CENTRE The Indonesian Minister of Trade, (ZRC) SERVE COCONUT FARMERS Hon. Enggartiasto Lukita visited APCC ED APCC visited the Zamboaga Secretariat on 19 August 2016. He was Research Centre in the company of Dr. accompanied by the Inspector General Ramon L. Rivera, OIC Deputy Administrator Karyanto Suprih, Mr. Bachrul Chairi, Head R&D of PCA. Visit of ZRC included field visit of Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory of programs and interactions with the Agency (COFTRA) and senior officials of professional team. ZRC undertakes an the Ministry of Trade. Mr. Uron N. Salum, annual production of 1 million MATAG Executive Director, APCC presented a brief hybrid seednuts for distribution to coconut on the activities of APCC and the prospects farmers. The Centre is equipped with tissue for the Indonesian coconut sector. Mr. culture laboratories as well as facilities for Salum explained about the diversified food processing and development of processed products from coconut and the processing equipment. ZRC is growing global market for the same. He accommodated on 450 hectares of land of also invited the Hon. Minister to the 47th which about 260 hectare comprise the APCC COCOTECH Conference and coconut seed garden. Exhibition scheduled for 26-30 September at Bali, Indonesia, which is hosted by the MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL COCONUT Government of Indonesia. Copies of the WORKSHOP 2016 ATTENDED BY APCC APCC publications were also handed over ED APCC participated as keynote to the Hon. Minister by ED APCC. speaker at the National Coconut Workshop APCC PARTICIPATES IN COCOLINK 2016 that was conducted under the theme of “Coconut: The Sunrise Industry” 2016, AN INTERNATIONAL COCONUT CONFERENCE IN DAVAO, PHILIPPINES organised by the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the UPM Alumni Association APCC participated in the COCOLINK th (PAUPM) on 9 August 2016. The 2016, a first time International Coconut Conference was inaugurated by the Hon. Conference conducted under the theme of Yb. Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Bridging Industries, held from 27-29 July Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based 2016 at the SMX Convention Centre, Industry, Government of Malaysia. ED Lanang, Davao City, Philippines. The APCC took the opportunity to meet and Conference was organised under the discuss briefly with the Minister during lunch auspices of the Davao Region Coconut together with senior officials of the Industry Cluster, Inc (DRCICI) in Government of Malaysia. Mr. Salum Philippines. Mr. Uron N. Salum, Executive presented the APCC paper on “The Director, APCC presented on “The State of Coconut Global Trade and Network: the World Coconut Industry”. The other Opportunities for Malaysia.” The Workshop presenters included officials from Philippine had discussions on the overview of the Coconut Authority (PCA), scientists and coconut industry in Malaysia, the researchers from Philippine Council for production, economics and the current Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources issues faced. Sessions were also organised Research and Development (PCAARRD), on downstream products of coconut and the private sector companies and other health benefits of coconut. stakeholders. The Conference included

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 8 | Page

NEW APCC NLO OF MALAYSIA, MR. Asia which is still largely agriculture BADRUL HISHAM BIN MOHD MEETS ED dependent, very bioversity rich and APCC environmentally fragile. ED APCC held discussions with Mr. USM RESEARCH WITH COCONUT Badrul Hisham Bin Mohd, Deputy Secretary WATER PROCESSING General (Development) and APCC NLO, A visit by the ED APCC to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrobased Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was Industry, Government of Malaysia on the initiated through Prof. Azhar Mat Easa, collaborative efforts that could be Dean, School of Industrial Technology of undertaken for the sustained development the University. USM is a research intensive of the coconut sector in Malaysia. Mr. University and also the second University in Badrul acknowledged that Malaysia is the Malaysia established in 1969. The USM host for the 54th APCC Session/Ministerial research team presented scientific work Meeting in 2018 and indicated considering currently undertaken on how fresh coconut Malaysia to also host the 48th APCC water could be processed to maintain COCOTECH Conference and Exhibition in freshness, taste and quality including the same year. maximising of shelf life. USM work will be UNITED PLANTATIONS (UP) BERHAD IN one of the presentations at the upcoming MALAYSIA RECEIVES VISIT FROM ED COCOTECH Conference in Bali. APCC FELDA WELLNESS CORPORATION UP in Malaysia would be host to the (FWC) RELEASES NUTRACEUTICAL best performing MATAG hybrid coconut PRODUCTS reaching maximised yield of over 40,000 FWC recently in 2015 released three nuts per hectare per year. Mr. Salum was key lines of products produced from received well on recent visit to United Cultured Coconut Extract. The process Plantations and shown around activities applied is intended to retain the highest done by the Research and Development quality of coconut oil. The product brand is Division. The Company’s annual seednut Neutrax that can be taken in liquid form production is at 150,000 and its total (Neutrax Original), as food supplement commercial nut production each year is at (Neutrax Soft Gel) and the other products 80 million. UP has had close working for external use (Neutrax Therapy Oil). ED relationship with APCC for many years and APCC had the privilege of visiting FWC in had contributed immensely in past APCC Kuala Lumpur to find out a bit of the work Conferences. done by the organisation. FWC is a health APCC COLLABORATION WITH CENTRE and wellness innovator and incubator of FOR AGRICULTURE AND BIOSCIENCE next generation technologies, products and INTERNATIONAL (CABI) strategies in bio-pharmaceuticals. A follow up discussion to a visit by APCC PARTICIPATED IN 30TH ANNUAL CABI to APCC Jakarta during 2015 was COCONUT WEEK CELEBRATION, THIRD recently held in at the CABI office in Kuala INTERNATIONAL COCONUT FESTIVAL Lumpur. CABI expressed willingness to APCC participated in 30th Coconut collaborate with APCC on coconut related Week Celebration that coincided with the research work and publication. CABI is a Third International Coconut Festival on not-for-profit inter- governmental August 18-21 at the SM Megamall, development and information organisation Megatrade Hall 1. With the theme “Coconut based in United Kingdom. The CABI Farm Productivity, Answer to Poverty,” the regional centre in Malaysia established in event aims to converge industry 1988 works across the whole of South East stakeholders to explore opportunities and

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 9 address the challenges through cooperation Officials said around 22,000 hectares of among industry players and enablers. The land are under coconut cultivation in the celebration is a venue to showcase district. technologies and best practices that M. Pandiyan, Professor and Head, promote coconut productivity and increase Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Agricultural material base for the production of value- Research Station, Virinjipuram, said they added export products, such as coconut have already advised farmers to cultivate water, activated carbon, coco coir and coconut trees only if they had adequate coconut oil. water source. DROUGHT CASTS A SHADOW OVER “Decades ago, the Palar had perennial COCONUT CULTIVATION IN water flow. So, farmers raised coconut trees TAMILNADU, INDIA on both sides of the river bank and got good Vast tracts of land with coconut tree yield. Now, there is no water flow in the stumps have become a common sight in the river,” he explained. western parts of Vellore district. With “Hence, we have advised farmers not coconut trees on thousands of acres of land to cultivate coconut trees if there is no water already dried up due to drought, farmers source,” he said. While areas in Gudiyatham now say that at least a lakh more trees are and Jolarpet too are facing such crisis, the nearing withering stage across the district. scientist explained that the plant growth and Drought conditions have hit coconut flowering was affected in Vaniyambadi as cultivation in Vellore, particularly in villages the salt content in water was high due to along upper Palar region. This has forced tannery effluents. many farmers to fell dried trees. A visit to Officials said that some farmers had some of these villages shows the intensity felled the dried trees and sold the land to of the crisis. Several lands here bear real estate dealers. nothing except the stumps of the felled coconut trees. R. Mullai, district Secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasaigal Sangam, Vellore, said “Villages in Vaniyambadi and Ambur nearly three years ago, they had demanded taluks are the worst hit. Over the last six to the State government to grant Rs. 2,500 per seven years, several thousands of coconut affected tree as compensation for farmers. trees have dried up due to acute water “But nothing has been done till date,” he scarcity. Early this year, we undertook an said. enumeration of affected trees and found that at least a lakh is nearing withering He added decades ago, coconuts from stage,” R. Janarthanan, a farmer in Dharmapuri and Vellore were bought and Vadakarai and member of National taken to markets in Ahmedabad but now the Agriculture Awareness Movement, said. coconut water lacked good taste. The affected villages located along the Agriculture officials said that coconut Palar included Ramanaickenpettai, cultivation is no longer suitable for the Eklaspuram, Vadukupatti, Ambalur, condition prevailing in Vellore. “If farmers Thimmampet, Kodaiyanchi, Vadacheri, want to cultivate coconut trees now, they Vadakarai, Veerankuppam and Omarabad. will have to adopt drip irrigation. If there is no assured water source, coconut “The water here has been polluted by cultivation is not advisable,” an official said. discharge of tannery effluents. This coupled A sum of Rs. 1.3 crore was given as with drought has turned poisonous for the compensation for farmers during 2013-2014 trees. Coconut farmers have not been following an enumeration of affected lands. adequately compensated for the loss,” he A second enumeration was undertaken but added.

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 10 | Page no funds had been allotted, he added. Industry sources point out that (http://www.thehindu.com) research activity in the coconut sector has not gained momentum vis-a-vis other SUPPORT PRICE: STATE TO WAIT FOR agricultural crops, which have witnessed CENTRE'S DECISION encouraging results, especially in the The state government will wait for the development of tissue culture. decision of the Union Cabinet on providing However, senior officials in the aid to growers of coconut and arecanut, Coconut Development Board attributed before deciding on its next step of action. neglected crop management, monsoon Coconut and arecanut growers are in deficiency, natural calamities such as distress following a crash in prices. Chief drought and cyclones in the coastal States Minister Siddaramaiah had convened a of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha meeting of the floor leaders, union ministers as well as the outbreak of diseases in from the state on Tuesday to discuss the different regions as reasons for the issue. production decline. Briefing reporters, Law Minister The major villains are root-wilt T B Jayachandra said Union Chemicals and diseases, which have affected coconut Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar told the production throughout Kerala and are meeting that the Union Cabinet, which is spreading to the neighbouring States of scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Besides, Wednesday, would take a decision on Thanjavur / Ganoderma Wilt, bud rot, leaf launching a Market Intervention Scheme to rot are also impacting output. purchase the commodities. Price instability is also a major “We will wait for the decision of the problem, forcing growers to neglect the Union Cabinet and decide on our next coconut crop, which is cyclic in nature. move,” Jayachandra said. The Karnataka Owing to a high degree of price fluctuation, Rajya Raitha Sangha and the Green growers are now exposed to economic risks Brigade have sought a minimum support and uncertainties. price of Rs 45,000 per quintal for arecanut High labour costs, unavailability of and Rs 15,000 per quintal for copra. sufficient land suitable for agriculture due to (http://www.deccanherald.com) urbanisation and surging farming costs are PEST ATTACKS WREAK HAVOC ON other factors making coconut cultivation COCONUT FARMS unviable. Even as 2016 marks a century of Today tree climbers charge up to coconut research in India, the sector is still Rs30-40 per tree whereas the farm gate fearful about the threat of various diseases. price is Rs6 per nut. Pests and diseases affected the To make the cultivation viable, there country’s coconut production (up to June) should be at least six to eight tree harvests, this year, with output dropping 5 per cent given Kerala’s average productivity of 44 from the 20,440 million nuts produced last nuts per tree in a year. The average number year. of nuts per tree per harvest is only eight India’s coconut production, which nuts, which is inadequate to meet even the ranks first and contributes around 31 per harvesting charges. cent of global production, has been showing The Coconut Development Board has a declining trend in the last three years, started popularising Integrated Pest dropping from 23,351 million nuts to 20,440 Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient in 2014-15. Management (INM) among the farming

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 11 community. However, application of such production of coconut as per APCC practices for effective management of pest Statistics 2014. India stands third in area and diseases at the farmer level is very low. under coconut and first in production. (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com) (www.coconutboard.gov.in) UNIQUE WAY TO PROTEST DEMANDING DISCUSSION MEETING AND PRESS PRICE SUPPORT FOR COCONUT IN CONFERENCE ON “NATIONAL SEMINAR TAMIL NADU ON PROSPECTS OF COCONUT” HELD ON 28-08-2016 The Hindu last week reported about a novel way of staging a protest demanding A preliminary discussion meeting on support price for coconuts which happened the conduct of the “National Seminar on in Tamil Nadu State in India. Coconut Prospects of Coconut Sector” was held at growers, led by Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Alappuzha on 28-08-2016. The meeting Sangam, to call attention to their grievance, was chaired by Sri K.C. Venugopal, Hon’ble converged outside the BSNL office and Member of Parliament, Alappuzha and he staged a ‘coconut breaking’ protest where informed that the National Seminar will be farmers broke coconuts one after the other. held at ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam on September 29, 2016. Shri The protest, organized as part of the Radha Mohan Singh, Hon’ble Union State-wide demonstration, demanded that Minister for Agriculture and Farmer’s the government outline a minimum support Welfare has consented to be the chief guest price for coconuts and take up procurement and will inaugurate the programme. Prof. of coconuts directly from growers. The fall P.J. Kurien, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman in the price of coconuts has adversely Rajya Sabha and Shri V.S. Sunil Kumar, affected coconut growers in the State. Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture According to the protesters, the price of Development and Farmer’s Welfare of peeled coconut was between Rs.2.75 and Kerala will be guests of honour. The meet Rs. 3.50 leaving farmers in the lurch. They will showcase technological updates in cited the Kerala State government which coconut sector with special emphasis on procured coconuts at Rs.25 per kilogram value addition and product diversification from the farmers. Following Kerala, they and flag off national issues to boost urged the Tamil Nadu government to minimum support price and highlight likewise provide minimum support price and techniques to narrow down yield gap in procure coconuts at Rs. 25 per kilogram. coconut. (UCAP Bulletin) Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, ICAR- AMBASSADOR OF PHILIPPINES IN CPCRI, Kasaragod highlighted the research INDIA VISITS COCONUT DEVELOPMENT accomplishments of the Institute on the BOARD, INDIA centenary year and opined the Meet will be Her Excellency Ma. Teresita C. Daza, linking coconut as Pan India crop Ambassador of Philippines to India visited augmenting its utilization through value Coconut Development Board under Ministry added products (Kalpa chocolate, Kalpa of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, krunch) at National level. Dr. V. th Government of India on 29 August 2016. Krishnakumar, Head, ICAR-CPCRI, She was welcomed by Dr. Anand Kumar Regional Station, Kayamkulam outlined Singh, Chairman, Coconut Development various arrangements made as part of the Board. She had discussions with Chairman, National meet to be held at Kayamkulam. CDB and senior officials of the Board on the The meeting was attended by developments in the coconut sector. representatives from various ICAR Philippines stands second in area under Institutions (ICAR-CTCRI, ICAR-IISR, ICAR- coconut behind Indonesia and third in CMFRI, ICAR-CIFT), Kerala Agricultural

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University, Coconut Development Board, said a news report by a local daily Business Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Standard. Development, Principal Agricultural Officers In Andhra Pradesh, new edible oil (Alappuzha & Kollam) and they had assured refining units were eligible for a whole-hearted support for the success of reimbursement of VAT at 2.5 percent for big the programme through display of units, 3.75 percent for medium size units technologies and products as exhibits. and 5 percent for smaller units under the Later, a press conference was held at Press Industrial Policy 2015-2020. Encouraged by Club, Alappuzha and gist of the programme the government tax incentives, units with a about the “National Meet on Prospects of total refining capacity of 4 million tons have Coconut Sector” was shared with the media come up in Andhra Pradesh at the two personnel by Sri K.C. Venugopal, Hon’ble private deep water ports of Krishnapatnam MP and Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, ICAR- and Kakinada on the east coast in a short CPCRI, Kasaragod. (www.cpcri.gov.in) span of time. Large port-based edible oil NO TAKERS FOR COCONUT refining capacity also exists in states like PROCUREMENT CENTRES IN Gujarat and Maharashta, though no tax KARNATAKA incentives are given to the new units by the respective state governments anore. In another development, over a month “For an industry that operates on a since the Karnataka State government set thin 1-2 percent margin, the state up coconut procurement centres to help government’s tax incentives make a huge growers, who have been facing severe difference. That is why several people had downfall in the price of coconut, none has set up their refining units here only to face a procured even one quintal of coconut so far, problem of excess capacity later on,” Pradip according a report in The Hindu. Hundreds Chowdary, founder and Managing Director of farmers had inquired with the officials of Gemini Edibles and Fats India Private about the procedures to sell their produce, Limited (GEF India) told Business Standard, but none bothered to bring coconuts to the while welcoming the government’s decision. centres. His company runs a 800 tons per day The procedure to sell coconuts to the capacity refining plant at Krishnapatman Karnataka State Cooperative Market Port. Citing the over capacity issues, the Federation (KSCMF), which set up the Krishnapatman Edible Oil Refiners procurement centres, was lengthy. The Association had itself appealed to the state farmers had to obtain identity cards from the government to stop incentives to the units respective village accountants and certify some time ago. Based on these concerns the crop from Horticulture Department and the state government has now put the approach the centre. Quality experts from industry in the negative list. (UCAP Bulletin) the Horticulture Department would grade BLACK HEADED CATERPILLARS MAY coconuts before purchasing. The KSCMF WIPE OUT COCONUT TREES IN INDIAN will purchase the products only if the quality VILLAGE matches their standards. (UCAP Bulletin) A report from the Times of India said ANDRA PRADESH LIFTS INCENTIVES farmers in small village in FOR EDIBLE OIL REFINERS AT PORTS Doddayachenahalli in Karnataka State, Andhra Pradesh State in India, home India, in K R Pete taluk, are on the verge of to one-fourth of the country’s port-based losing their coconut farms with the trees edible refining capacity, has decided to do being raided by the deadly ‘black-headed away with tax incentives for new units as caterpillar’ (Opisina arenosella) insect. excess capacity stifled the existing units, Agriculture scientists who met affected farmers claimed that the coconut trees

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 13 grown on 500 acres in and around seedlings which will be distributed to Doddayachenahalli village are dying with farmers through the PCA. the black-headed caterpillar posing a severe (http://boholchronicle.com.ph) threat to them. DAGUPAN CITY GOV’T PLANTS Entomologist Puttaraju advised ANOTHER 1,000 COCONUT SEEDLINGS farmers to spray neem powder on leaves Close to two weeks after planting and on the caterpillar infested coconut tree 1,000 coconuts at Tondaligan Park on to control this pest. Neem will not directly August 3, the Dagupan City government led kill the insect, however, it will act as an anti- by Mayor Belen Fernandez planted another feedant and repellant. Neem has pest- 1,000 coconut seedlings in the shoreline of control medicinal values and farmers whose the Island Barangay of Pugaro on August coconut trees are infected must use neem 12. This raised to 2,000 the number of new powder in a massive way. Also, farmers coconut seedlings planted by the city in must use other pesticides to kill this life- August, adding to the 3,000 already planted threatening pest. (UCAP Bulletin) last year in the two coastal areas of BIG PROJECTS TO BOOST BOHOL Dagupan. COCO INDUSTRY IN PHILIPPINES Mayor Fernandez said they intend to The Philippine Coconut Authority plant 5,000 coconuts more in these areas (PCA) is set to implement “big projects” over the next three years in order to intended to bolster the coconut industry in complete their target of 10,000. The coconut Bohol which provides livelihood to over seedlings were sourced out by the city of 200,000 Boholanos. Emiliano Romero, Dagupan from the Philippine Coconut Bohol PCA Manager, said that coconut Authority (PCA). Fernandez thanked farmers in the province have already grown personnel of various government agencies coconuts across 10,000 hectares of land and non-governmental organizations who since 2013 and will continue to plant the again joined forces with the city government fruit trees in anticipation of the projects. in this new coconut planting activity. These Romero cited the construction of a coconut- are the Dagupan Police, Bureau of Fire based industrial hub in the town of Balilihan Protection, PNP Maritime Group, Philippine as one of the projects designed to aid small Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Lions Club, coconut farmers in their livelihood. Another Philippine Health Insurance Corporation investor has also expressed interest in (Phil Health), Boy Scouts of the Philippines, putting up a coconut processing center in Barangay Council of Pugaro and City the third district of Bohol, he added. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management initiatives aimed at helping farmers in Office (CDRRMO). The mayor said the marketing coconut products and providing planting of coconuts in both Pugaro and them with value-adding activities are Tondaligan Park is part of the disaster expected to give the local coconut industry preparedness program of the city a significant boost. government as the trees will help mitigate the impact of storm surge and tsunami Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco emanating from the Lingayen Gulf. has also announced his support for Bohol’s coconut industry as he noted that the She also said once the coconuts will province should be among the leading bear fruits in a few years, and these will be suppliers of coconut products in the country. the source of inexhaustible raw materials for He also assured small coconut farmers in such industries as “pastillas” and “bucayo” Bohol that they will be receiving a large (coconut candy) for which Dagupan City is share of the P72.5-billion coco levy fund famous for, and therefore a big boon to the which is set to be released by the national livelihood of the people government. For its part, the provincial government purchased a bulk of coconut (http://northboundasia.com)

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FRANKLIN BAKER FIRST FOOD ambitious” biomaterials sustainability INGREDIENT PRODUCER TO EARN RSB certification program in the world. A global CERTIFICATION coalition that brings together farmers, companies, non- governmental Franklin Baker Company of the organizations, experts, governments, and Philippines earned the Roundtable on inter-governmental agencies concerned with Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification ensuring the sustainability of biomaterials for the growing, harvesting and supply of production and processing, RSB provides a coconut products from farms located in the holistic approach towards sustainability Mindanao Island, Philippines. Franklin assurance, covering social, environmental Baker is the first food ingredient producer to and operational aspects. earn RSB certification. Their products include desiccated coconut, sweetened and “We knew from the beginning that the unsweetened toasted coconut, creamed structural limitations of our supply chain, coconut and coconut concentrate, virgin based on land laws and land rights in the coconut oil, coconut flour and coconut Philippines, were going to make RSB water. “RSB certification provides numerous certification challenging at best and possibly benefits to any manufacturing organisation,” impossible to achieve, said Cesar Galvez, said Jerry Lorenzo, Franklin Baker’s Franklin Baker’s Vice President of President and CEO. “The strength of RSB Operations. “However, we learned to think for Franklin Baker is that not only does it and work differently to comply with the recognize sustainability and ethical standard. The learnings for us were almost practices, but also covers areas of global too numerous to mention. The RSB concern such as labor rights, rural certification process helped us to improve development, conservation and the relationships with our farmer partners, environment. Attention to these operating increase internal awareness and training, principles is not only a desired way to run a and make our internal processes even more business, but also reinforces our other CSR robust. RSB certification process took us to activities in the local communities and raises another level of operational excellence.” our credibility status with increasingly Franklin Baker’s products and production discerning global customers. We are proud facilities have also been certified under the to join the elite group of companies that USDA and European Organic certification have achieved RSB certification. As a schemes, and are also Fair Trade USA company which has an unwavering certified. (http://www.franklinbaker.com) commitment to protect the environment that PCA LEADS 30TH ANNUAL COCONUT nurtures us, and which relies on the WEEK CELEBRATION, THIRD INT’L agricultural sector for our very existence, COCONUT FESTIVAL Franklin Baker is particularly gratified to be recognised with this accolade,” said The Philippine Coconut Authority Lorenzo. (PCA) led the country’s 30th Coconut Week Celebration that coincided with the Third “Franklin Baker has demonstrated a International Coconut Festival on August firm commitment to the concept of 18-21 at the SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall sustainable, ethical manufacturing and 1. With the theme “Coconut Farm supply chain practices as a fundamental Productivity, Answer to Poverty,” the event business philosophy in their day to day aims to converge industry stakeholders to operations,” said Rolf Hogan, RSB’s explore opportunities and address the Executive Director. “We are exceptionally challenges through cooperation among proud to have them as the first primary food industry players and enablers. ingredient producer to earn RSB certification in the world.” RSB is recognized The celebration is a venue to by NGOs as the “most comprehensive and showcase technologies and best practices

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 15 that promote coconut productivity and the EU-GSP+ program on December 18, increase material base for the production of 2014. (UCAP Bulletin) value-added export products, such as COCO PRODUCER URGES coconut water, activated carbon, coco coir STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE COCONUT and coconut oil. PRODUCTION SUSTAINABLE Seminars on various topics, like A coconut producer has asked market access and global market trends, stakeholders to plant more trees and makes including training on virgin-coconut oil for the industry sustainable to address demand delegates of the 4th Meeting of National in the future. Focal Points Working Group on Coconut on ASEAN Joint Promotion Scheme, are part of Asia Pacific Coconut Community the four-day event. Cocoweek is celebrated (APCC) Executive Director Uron Salum has every August as mandated by Proclamation voiced concern that the industry will face 142, Series 1987, signed by the late shortage of products 20 years from now. President Corazon C. Aquino in 1987. It He said that in order to achieve also serves as a tribute to the coconut as sustainability there must be planting of new the “Tree of Life.” (UCAP Bulletin) trees, as he urged to look into the different DTI-EMB CONDUCTS DBFTA SESSION AT coco by-products. THE RECENTLY HELD 1ST INTERNATIONAL Speaking at the ongoing three-day COCONUT CONFERENCE IN DAVAO International Coconut Conference held at The First International Coconut SMX Convention here, Salum said demand Conference (ICC) held in Davao City last for coconut products in the world market is July 27-28 provided a venue for the growing high. Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) to hold a He also said that farmers must know seminar on its major program called Doing that in order to produce good yield per tree, Business in Free-Trade Areas (DBFTA) to only original seedlings must be planted and more than 500 coconut-industry not the second generation fruit. representatives. In Malaysia, he said the propagation The seminar sought to motivate of mother plants is run by millions with the coconut producers to export more products volume of orders from the different regions. to destinations where the Philippines has He said the role of the APCC is to free-trade agreements (FTA) in order to support the different member countries by maximize the benefits and privileges these promoting, coordinating and harmonizing all agreements offer. The DBFTA is one of the activities of the coconut industry that EMB’s major programs where information promote sustainability and help improve the on trade negotiations and agreements are lives of small farmers engaged in coconut discussed and explained. production, processing, and marketing. The Davao session highlighted the “The APCC aims to improve the socio- benefits offered by European Union economic conditions of all stakeholders of Generalized System of Preferences Plus the industry in the member countries, (EU-GSP+), a preferential tariff scheme particularly the small coconut farmers,” he granted by the EU to developing countries said. that meet very stringent application Salum said APCC is an requirements. The Philippines, currently the intergovernmental organization of sixteen only country in the Asean to be accepted in full member countries, composed of The the scheme, applied for the scheme two Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, years ago and was accepted formally into Indonesia, Republic of Kiribati, Malaysia,

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Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, is in this aspect that (coconut water) could fit Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri in.” Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Department of Trade and Industry- Vietnam. Jamaica and Kenya are associate International Export Marketing Bureau member countries of the APCC. Director Senen Perlada said the volume of The APCC is under the auspices of export on coconut products has increased the United Nations Economic and Social tremendously as reflected in the figures in Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN- 2000 of only 2.7 million dollars to 62 million ESCAP), he said. dollars in 2014. He said several countries are already He said that for every one million into producing other products aside from increase it brings 30 times employment copra but he cautioned that in order to contribution to the labor force. produce quality products it must be complemented with good equipment. He also said that coco water export in 2015 was valued at USD160 million. Otherwise there will be issue on quality standards, he said. Perlada said there is high-value growth in other coconut products and there is more He said following the protocol on QS sophistication as by-products are already is protecting the product. used in cosmetics, beverage, and several Meanwhile, Fakih N.P., President, others. Fakih Group of Companies, said his “There are lots of opportunities in high- business is on handicraft and right now he value coconut products hence we should partners with producers in four countries. take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. He said that of the 1,300 crafts that (http://www.mindanaodailynews.com) can be produced only 200 products are COCO LEVY BILL REFILED IN THE sourced by his company from the SENATE Philippines. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has Fakih said the need is big especially in refiled a bill allocating an estimated P73 the Middle East with the requirements of billion of the coco levy assets for the 15,000 hotels or over 100,000 rooms to fix development of the coconut industry, from lamp shades to wall or floor designs vowing to expedite its passage in the new out of coco shells. Congress. Senator Pangilinan was According to him, the production could Presidential Assistant for food security and be done in the village sector through agricultural modernization in the last Aquino cottage industry. Administration. The bill, entitled Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Act of Jeffrey Albanese, USDA Agriculture 2016, is a repacking of the Coco Levy Trust Attache said the US demand for the product Fund bill that failed to pass in the last is at 500 million dollars and the demand has Congress. been there. He said the measure “proposes a But Albanese said the market is also complete accounting and inventory of the looking at other product like the coconut coco levy assets” and their conversion into water and there is not enough supply to “a perpetual trust fund that will be used for fulfill the market needs. the development of the coconut industry He said there is room for growth without using the principal”. As food security especially on coconut water although 10 czar in the Aquino Administration, he helped years ago there was already growth in draft the previous coco levy trust fund bill, healthy organic food in the US and “I think it basing it on a coconut industry poverty

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 17 reduction plan that focuses on coconut within the next five years following the enterprise development. He also pushed for recent completion of its plant expansion in its passage in the previous Congress. Barangay Darong, Vice President for (UCAP Bulletin) Operations Cesar Q. Galvez said. PCA ON ALERT ON COCO PEST “There is really a huge demand for ATTACKS coconut products abroad,” said Mr. Valdez, noting that they are scouting for suppliers in Experts from the Philippine Coconut other parts of Mindanao as well as the Authority (PCA) have been put on alert Visayas. The company produces desiccated following recent reports of pest attacks in coconut, coconut water and virgin coconut coconut farms in Camarines Norte and oil, among other products, mainly for the Masbate provinces in Bicol Region. Ed international market. Mr. Galvez said the Bailon, PCA spokesperson for Integrated company will be needing at least two million Pest Management in the region, said cases nuts a day as they increase the coconut of brontispa (Brontispa longissima) attacks processing plant to 10 lines from only two. were reported in different towns in the island (UCAP Bulletin) province of Masbate. He said PCA monitoring and assessment reports, NON-FOOD COCO PRODUCTS GET however, showed the infestion had not POSITIVE REVIEWS FROM FOREIGN reached alarming level. On the other hand, BUYERS AT COCOLINK 2016 infestation in Camarines Norte had been put Non-food coconut products made of under control. coir materials from Bicol received good The insects were active in Masbate feedback from both the United States and because of the high temperature and Dubai buyers that attended the recently delayed rains, Bailon said, adding the best concluded Cocolink 2016, the first way to stop the spread of the disease was International Coconut Conference (ICC) on to cut and burn the infected part of trees. July 27 and 28 in Davao City. As a result of He said PCA was also adopting biological the three-day business matching during the control techniques where “mummies” Cocolink conducted by the Department of (insects that eat eggs of brontispa) were Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing used instead of pesticides. Another Bureau (EMB), markets for products like measure is injecting trunks of infected trees coco peat, coco pots, pet scratchers and with insecticide to kill the pests. coir litter boxes are starting to open. Brontispa, also known as the coconut Dubai-based buyer, Fakih N.P., CEO leaf beetle, is an invasive pest that of Fakih Group of Companies, is particularly damages both young and mature coconuts interested in garden products such as coco and ornamental palms. The beetle dries the peat and coco pots, from Cocotechnologies shoots leading to the death of a tree. Trees Corp. Fakih said he intends to include infected by brontispa appear burnt from a garden, agriculture and pet products, like distance. (UCAP Bulletin) coir scratchers and rote ball, in their online selling outlet in Dubai. On the other hand, DEMAND FOR COCO PRODUCTS Nick Johnson, president and CEO of Asia PRESSURES NUT SUPPLY IN DAVAO Etc., a marketing company specializing in Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines, the US mainstream market, showed interest Inc., which runs two coconut processing in promoting the coir litter box, locally plants in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, has branded as “Coco Crumble” to pet shops in been seeking additional sources of raw the US. He, however, stressed the materials in the Davao Region, the country’s importance of having the products top coconut-producing area especially with registered under US certification agencies the projected increase in requirements for pets, to avoid import issues in the future.

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He encouraged the local company to efficiently while getting an extra income. participate in the Global Pet Expo in 2017 in The participants were exposed to 15 Florida. intercropping models which can be carried out in coconut lands effectively. This year Cocotechnologies Corp., a Philippine the number of participants for the fourth company, owns a medium-sized coco coir programme was 201. The resource persons processing plant in Bicol, which has been in were Dr. Sumith Senarathne and Research operation since 1999. It is a pioneering Officers of the Agronomy Division. company in bio-engineering coconet (www.cri.gov.lk) products designed for soilerosion control and river rehabilitation. Cocotechnologies JACOBI CARBONS LANKA RECEIVES Corp. was also the first in making coir peat PRESIDENTIAL AWARD products manually as a new addition to their Jacobi Carbons Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (JCL) long list of products lines. The company won the Presidential Award for Highest also received inquiries from Korea and Foreign Exchange Earner Award for Non- Australia. (UCAP Bulletin) Kernel Product Category for both 2014 and th HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 2015 at the 20 EDB Presidential Award Ceremony held at BMICH last Tuesday (9th PROGRAMME FOR CRI STAFF August) with the patronage of His All heads of divisions, Estate Excellency the President, Maithreepala superintendents and management Sirisena and many other Key Ministers and assistants of Coconut Research Institute, Sri Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Lanka were given one day training on office This Prestigious award program is conducted by Export Development Board of Management and related topics at the CRI Sri Lanka (EDB). Auditorium on 24th August 2016. The training was conducted by retired officer, Jacobi Carbons Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is a management consultant of Sri Lanka Board of Investment (BOI) approved Administrative Service; Mr. H. Jayathilake. company to manufacture coconut shell base The programme named “Prepare for value added activated carbon products for tomorrow” was organized by Administrative the export market. JCL exported more than Division of the CRI. According to the 19,000 metric tons of value added activated feedback from the participants the training carbon, worth more than 35 Mn USD (5.0 was highly effective in developing Bn Rupees) per year in 2014 and 2015. JCL management skills. (www.cri.gov.lk) manufacturers value added activated carbons mainly from coconut shell charcoal HIGH DEMAND FOR CERTIFICATE for a wide range of purification and COURSE ON COCONUT CULTIVATION adsorption applications such as, drinking AND VALUE ADDITION OF CRI, SRI water purification, air purification, Cigarette LANKA filter carbons, decolorization including food The Technology Transfer Division grades, pharmaceuticals applications, gold organized a Certificate Course on Coconut and precious metal recovery and other toxic Cultivation and Value Addition for 2016 and non-toxic chemical adsorption and which commenced in April 2016. The purification. JCL exports their high quality course consists of eight programmes which and products in elegantly packed orange cover all aspects of coconut cultivation and bags to customers around the world. Their value addition. After finishing three product portfolio includes high precision and successful pragrammes, the fourth micro granulated activated carbons, acid programme was held on 29th July 2016 at wash activated carbon, Impregnated Makandura Sub Research Station to train activated carbons, catalytic activated growers on intercropping systems under carbons and powdered activated carbons coconut and to utilize coconut lands products.

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Country Manager, Jacobi Carbons district. The main reason for positioning the Lanka, Rasanga Adikara said, “This is an production facility in Natandiya is due to the amazing achievement by the JCL team accessibility to the raw material which is within a very short time period of 8 years of coconut shell charcoal. Apart from direct operations. This success was planned and employment, Jacobi has created more than well defined in our strategy. It is one of the 2000 indirect employment and flourished key milestones in our journey towards the small and medium scale entrepreneurs and vision to become the industry leader business. globally by 2020. We started our Jacobi Carbons is an ISO 9001 commercial operations in March 2016 and certified company and has also recently have been continuously growing and been awarded with the ISO 14000 expanding our operations in our state of art certification for Environment Management and modern production facility in Systems. Jacobi is a well-known social Nattandiya, NW Province. We started as a contributor and has been working with the BOI project in 2005 with the initial capacity community to develop and improve social of 5200 metric tons per year and as of today well-being and has engaged in many CSR we have more than 20,000 metric tons activities including health, drinking water, installed capacity per year with more than Education, infrastructure, Sports and 10 Million USD foreign direct investment. cultural activities in the area. Also this success is despite of all the discrimination, obstacles and battles since Adikara further said, “Behind all these the inception of JCL”. successes there is always a team working tirelessly. The strong leadership of Anders JCL is the first manufacturing Skeini, CEO-Jacobi Carbons, together with subsidiary of Jacob Carbons AB Sweden. the key group management team, our sales Jacobi Carbons group is the world’s largest force and customer service team around the coconut base activated carbon world, especially my team here in Sri Lanka manufacturer, having more than 60,000 combined to do a marvelous job to reach to metric tons installed capacity in South and this level within a short time frame. I thank South East Asia. Jacobi Carbons also everyone in the Jacobi family for their hard produces coal and wood base activated work, commitment and attitude. Also I must carbons in China, USA, Germany and thank our Osaka Gas team for their support, France and also Sri Lanka. Jacobi Carbons technology, know-how to make better group joined Osaka Gas Group in early products and safer work environment. My 2014 after the friendly acquisition by Osaka special thanks to our prestigious customers Gas Chemical Group (OGC). OGC also has around the world for placing their trust in us, an Activated Carbon division to produce those who keep on buying good quality high quality and high end Activated Carbon carbon and world class experience”. products. Together with OGC, Jacobi holds Adikara did not forget to thank their the 2nd target company status in the Global suppliers, service providers and business Activated Carbon business. partners and regulatory bodies as well for Jacobi carbons Lanka is a silent their continued supporters. significant contributor to the Sri Lankan “We could have done more than this; economy, coconut industry and to the Jacobi Carbons Lanka has a limitation community in Nattandiya. JCL has state of where local raw materials can be obtained art production facility in Nattandiya, NW with certain restrictions. If this limitation was province currently employing more than 400 not there, was would have brought another employees. Most of the employees are from 10 Mn USD project to Sri Lanka with more the Nattandiya area ensuring that the employment and foreign exchange to the Sri company has become one of the largest Lankan economy. Due to this limitation, we employment generators in the Putlam

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 20 | Page have established 2 large factories in India Thai word for “coconut” to reflect its no- and very recently in Philippines with more compromise taste. than 12mn USD investment,” Adikara further Like other products of the group, added. Mapro is certified by Ecocert and the US “We thank the Export Development Department of Agriculture as genuinely Board for organizing these kinds of events organic. to recognize and appreciate exporters and The target is to sell 50,000 botles a the business community for their day of Maprao within the next 12 months, contributions to the economy. It has helped and 200,000 a day within two years. significant contributors to the industry and per-formers to strive more and that brought “We know the market size and we’re these companies into the limelight so that already [talking] with all supermarkets and the community can get to know about distributors,’ Narula said. them,” he said in conclusion. (The Sunday At present the Thai coconut-water Times, Sri Lanka, 28 August 2016) market is estimated to total nearly 1 million URMATT GROUP SET FOR NATIONWIDE coconuts a day, half of which sold in bottles, LAUNCH OF ORGANIC COCONUT and the other half in pre-cut diamond- WATER shaped coconuts. After starting out in the rice business, The group has invested more than Urmatt Group has expanded to other Bt70 million to set up a production facility in organic agricultural products including eggs, Ratchaburi, where it has established a rice bran, chia seeds, pad Thai pasta and network of contracted farmers to supply the latest offering, coconut water. organic coconuts to the plant. Urmatt Chief Executive Officer Arvind Though Maprao’s primary target Narula, who shifted his business empire to consumers will be Thais, the group is also 100 per cent organic more than 20 years eyeing overseas markets, as coconut water ago, is gearing up to make a ‘nationwide’ is the fastest-growing drink worldwide. debut of his “Maprao” organic coconut water Marketing Director Niki Narula, around the end of this month. Arvind’s son, said Maprao would look to join “We’ve been doing this for almost two in lifestyle and youth-oriented events such years, selling it only at the Villa Market as the next month’s “Ultra Singapore” [branches]. But from late this month, we will electronic-music festival after it was sell is all over the country. Our target is selected as one of the event’s three every supermarket,” Narula said in an sponsors. interview with The Nation. Assisted by his son and a team of The Maprao team is being young executives representing multiple strengthened with David Spencer, a former cultures, Arvind, 65, has pursued each of business development Director at General his new ventures through joint investments Electric in Hong Kong, and a Young with some of his friends at the YPO. Presidents’ Organization (YPO) colleague of Besides Maprao and Hilltribe Narula, who is joining as the CEO and a Organics, which sells free-range, certified shareholder of the operating company, organic eggs, other organic ventures Coco Nuts Ltd. include Perfect Earth, which sells chia Retailing for at Bt49 per 250-millilitre seeds, pasta and rice products, and Urmatt bottle, Maprao is marketed as a premium Life, which offers rice-bran supplements. product for middle-to-upper-income “Our approach is that in every-thing consumers. The brand is named after the we produce, we look at making it the raw

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 21 material for our next step, always. We and was aimed at advancing production and maximize integration,” said the Urmatt CEO. exports from Vanuatu, including through Hence his planned new products include diversification into value-added copra/ hard-boiled organic eggs (with green curry) coconut, cocoa and sandalwood products. and instant noodle made from organic chia These three crops represent, she said, seeds. important economic sectors for the country. Actions planned at the workshop could Arvind Narula became the first make valuable contributions to economic member of YPO Thailand to win the Global recovery that Vanuatu needs following Impact award from the organization last Cyclone Pam, including by supplementing year. the government’s Overarching Productive His Hilltribe Organics recently also Sector Policy, Ms. Navaika added. received a positive social impact Vanuatu’s NGER’s team of experts – assessment review by a team of Master of including Roy Pakoasongi, Jimmy Rantes Business Administration students from HEC and Noel Kalo – presented results of Paris, a European business school. (The detailed studies of the copra/coconut, cocoa Nation Newspaper, Thailand, 23rd August and sandalwood sectors, which included 2016) extensive consultations with producers in REELING FROM THE CATASTROPHE OF the field. The studies examined the main CYCLONE PAM, VANUATU REBUILDS obstacles to enhancing levels of production WITH AN EXPORT STRATEGY FOR ITS and quality by farmers and expanding COPRA/ COCONUT, COCOA AND product diversification and supply volumes SANDALWOOD PRODUCTS by downstream processors. UNCTAD and the Ministry of Trade, UNCTAD representatives Robert Industries, Cooperatives, and Ni-Vanuatu Hamwey and David Vivas Eugui serviced Business organized a 2nd National the meeting and provided examples of other Stakeholder Workshop on Vanuatu’s NGERs – especially that which has been National Green Export Review (NGER)) to implemented in Ecuador. The national develop recommendations and national action plan and related revisions elaborated action plans aimed at enhancing value- at the workshop included a set of strategic added and export capacity for lines and a list of specific actions to be copra/coconut, cocoa and sandalwood implemented by the Vanuatu Government products in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on 6-7 and other stakeholders over the next four- August 2015. The meeting was held in the year period. Among the most important wake of Cyclone Pam which, in March 2015, recommendations included the need to virtually destroyed the Pacific island develop and implement a national seedling archipelago. More than 40 participants and replanting plan for coconut, cocoa and attended the meeting including sandalwood plants; map cocoa plant genes; policymakers, farmers, agriculture and enhance training for farmers to improve forestry experts, civil society and productivity, pest control, harvesting, drying entrepreneurs in downstream industries that and packaging; make better use of coconut use copra/coconut, cocoa and sandalwood and cocoa waste to produce animal feed; for the production of food products, reform the Vanuatu Commodities Market essential oils, cosmetics and healthcare Board in order to make it more transparent, items, chocolate and handicrafts . effective and useful to producers; and Speaking on behalf of the government improve inter-island logistics, and advance of Vanuatu, Mary Navaika, Executive collective marketing and branding. Officer, Ministry’s Office of the Director- Stakeholders called for donors to provide General, said that the workshop was timely support needed to implement the plan, while UNCTAD representatives said it would

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 22 | Page continue to assist Vanuatu in ensuring its have to worry about prices plunging like with implementation. traders,” Dung said. He added that the company committed to buy coconuts at Mr. Rantes, Director of the 50,000 VND (2.2 USD) per dozen. They Department of Industry and Commerce, also would pay more if the market price rose closed the meeting thanking the above the current floor price, Dung said. representatives from UNCTAD and all of the Nguyen Van Khinh said he is happy to know national stakeholders for their contributions. he can count on a stable year-round price He said that undertaking UNCTAD’s after signing with the company. He asked National Green Export Review had been a the company to sign a long term deal highly valued and welcomed experience for instead of his current one year contract, Vanuatu and represented the first trade Khinh said. Besides offering farming advice technical assistance project which had and fertiliser, they also provide farmers with encouraged Vanuatu stakeholders to plant protection drugs, he added. collectively analyse, assess and decide how to best support and promote their economy. “The company provides about 12 (http://un.org.au) million VND per ha each year to help farmers,” Khinh said. BEN TRE: COCONUT GROWERS, FIRMS LINK UP The number of farmers co-operating with the company and other local Cooperation between farmers and businesses has increased sharply. businesses has brought profit and stable output for coconut growers in the southern More than 1,120 households have province of Ben Tre, which produces the joined the company’s project, covering an most coconuts in Vietnam. Linking area of 897ha, with monthly output of businesses and farmers improved the 900,000 coconut fruits, said Ho Thanh Liem, quality and value of products made from the company’s Technical Manager. coconut trees and boosted local According to Ben Tre Coconut Association, economic development. the province has more than 63,000ha of coconut trees, with a yield around 500 Lu Van Dung, a farmer in Giong Trom million fruits per year. However, coconut district’s Hung Le commune, told Tuoi Tre products for export are still limited, with dry (Youth) newspaper that cooperating with coconut fruit and desiccated coconut the enterprises offered them a stable price for main exports. Research from the Oil and Oil their crops. Output was not stable when Plants Research Institute revealed that the they sold their products to traders, he said. coconut sector has faced many difficulties “Farmers are forced to sell their products to due to shortage of planning. Sometimes, traders at low prices if they have a bumper coconut processing plants lacked materials crop,” Dung told newspaper. due to foreign traders buying coconuts from Sometimes, the price of coconut was farmers at higher prices. However, linking only at 14,000-15,000 VND (0.62-0.67 USD) farmers and businesses should be per dozen, he said. This did not happen strengthened to bring more profits for both, after he signed a contract with Ben Tre experts said. Import-Export Joint Stock Company three (https://www.vietnambreakingnews.com) years ago. VIETNAM COCONUT WATER Guaranteed, stable income was what ‘CRACKING’ THE US MARKET convinced Dung to join the project with 1ha Sales of coconut water products have of his field. exploded within the US market over the past “They provide the fertiliser, several years, says Chau Kim Yen, General techniques, they cover the output. I don’t Director of Ben Tre Import and Export Joint-

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 23 stock Company (Betrimex). The growing adding new varieties to innovate the juice interest in health and wellness has been the product with flavours such as pineapple, main driver for the US sales of coconut lemonade, chocolate and mango. Coffee, water, said Ms. Yen, adding that people are watermelon and tea flavours also are becoming more proactive when it comes to popular in the US market. In line with this, issues concerning their health. They are Harmless Harvest Inc. based out of New seeking healthier food and beverage York launched 100% Raw & Organic options with simpler ingredients and less Coconut Water with Fair Trade Coffee last sugary options. year in Whole Foods Markets nationwide. The beverage mixes raw coconut water with There is a definite movement to ‘back organic Peruvian coffee beans, said Ms to basics’ eating and drinking, Ms. Yen Yen, adding that maybe Betrimex will do noted, seeking out foods and beverages something along this line with Vietnamese with simpler ingredients. Coconut water is coffee. very firmly within this group and has benefited as a result. She said official Finding the supply figures show the US coconut water market The main challenge competitors in the growth rate in 2015 was 27% with US$778 US market face is supply as the US imports million in gross revenue, adding that many most of its coconuts from South Asian market researchers are now predicting that countries. According to published reports, by 2019 coconut water sales will hit US$1.9 nearly 90% of the annual global production billion. of coconuts comes from five countries: The US coconut water market is Indonesia, which produces 18 million metric dominated by only a handful of companies tons; the Philippines, producing 15.9 million with the largest three being – Vita Coco, metric tons; India, contributing 10.6 million O.N.E. and Zico. She said Betrimex has metric tons; Brazil, which produces 2.9 now entered the market with its new million metric tons; and Sri Lanka, which product, Cocoxim, a canned coconut water, contributes 2 million metric tons of coconut. and has received a favourable initial Ben Tre Province is home to coconut trees response. The company is also in the with cultivation areas of more than 70,000 preliminary stages of market entry into other ha and has the latent potential to become a markets such as Canada, the EU, Australia major player in the global coconut water and Japan. Betrimex has shipped many market at some point in the future. In coconut products to foreign markets in the conclusion, Ms. Yen said plans are in the past, but due to consumer health concerns works by Betrimex to construct a new related to coconut water it was never coconut water facility at the Phong Nam profitable to market the product worldwide Industrial Zone in the Giong Trom District of and it was generally just discarded. Now Ben Tre Province and forge ahead to crack that various medical reports have come out open the US coconut market. confirming that coconut water does not pose (http://english.vov.vn) any threat to health and is in fact just the ATAD COMPLETED THE MOST MODERN opposite—very nutritious, all that has COCONUT FACTORY IN BEN TRE changed. In an effort to increase the value of During the first half of this year, Vietnam’s coconuts, Betrimex began Betrimex shipped roughly 1 million litres of construction Thanh Thanh Cong factory at coconut water to the US, Europe and some Phong Nam IP, Giong Trom, Ben Tre. The Asian markets, said Ms. Yen, and fully project has a total area of 7.5 ha and a total expects that figure to multiply exponentially investment of 20 million USD. This is the by year’s end. As coconut water grows in first factory in Vietnam which applies the popularity, Ms. Yen said Betrimex plans on

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 24 | Page modern UHT technology in canned coconut (RPM). The CEO explained that NAREI is water production line. (http://atad.vn) currently working with farmers to reduce the effects of the pest, while at the same time COCONUT FARMERS BENEFIT FROM looking at means of eliminating it. Late last SPECIALISED TRAINING year, the Government provided $49M to Approximately 50 coconut farmers assist coconut farmers in managing the benefited, yesterday, from first hand training RPM. “The focus was on ensuring that all on coconut production, cultivation and farmers would have access to the chemicals harvesting, through a regional coconut to manage the mite. Also training was project funded by the European Union (EU). provided on how to apply the chemicals and The workshop which was held at the Grand so forth. We would have gone a far way in Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara, titled this exercise, not only in the Pomeroon, but ‘Good Agricultural Practices’ (GAPs) is in all other coconut growing areas,” he said. aimed at helping farmers cultivate the NAREI’s head also pointed out that variety of the nut most suitable for their type the institution is currently conducting of processed product or for their specific studies, research and experiments to create target market. This is part of a four- year natural enemies. These are environmentally project which commenced last year, friendly insects which will feed off of the according to Dr. Compton Paul, Regional RPM. Research Assistants are currently Coordinator of the project. grooming and mating these insects to Dr. Paul stressed that while it is create an environmentally friendly control important for farmers to cultivate and method for the RPM. The experiment is harvest as many plants as possible, it is done in NAREI’s Entomoly Labs, after which more important for farmers to understand the evaluation is conducted in a shade the type of conditions best for the growth of house. their preferred variety. “You are here today, NAREI will soon begin to roll out its you may find that what is said to you, you integrated Pest Management for coconut don’t agree with, but I want you to stand up , plantations. Farmers from Pomeroon, put your hand up and interact, if you don’t Linden, East Bank Demerara and agree with something let’s hear from you, Wakenaam were among the beneficiaries of maybe you are correct, maybe for your today’s workshop. The session was a condition, you need something different,” he collaborative effort between NAREI, and the said. While production is necessary, International Trade Centre, and was marketing of the end products is a major facilitated by Evans Ramkhelawan. factor, Dr. Paul noted. “At the regional level, we are trying to set up a network across the This training is being carried out in all region, it’s one thing to work at the national 10 countries in the Caribbean, including in level, but market-wise, we need to link up Belize, Suriname, St. Lucia, Trinidad and with our friends in the other countries to Tobago, St. Vincent, Dominica, Dominican make sure we can market our produce Republic, and Jamaica, which form part of across the Caribbean Region and then the project. (http://www.inewsguyana.com) internationally.” TORONTO HOSTS CANADA’S 3RD Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Chief ANNUAL COCONUT FESTIVAL Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Toronto hosts Canada’s 2nd Annual Agricultural Research & Extension Institute Coconut Festival and Marketplace on (NAREI) explained that coconut is one of August 27, 2016, at David Pecaut Square. Guyana’s largest non-traditional export The Coconut Festival is produced by crops. He added that production has been a Coconut Festival Canada which aims to bit slower due to the fact that the crop is bring the community together to learn about being attacked by the Red Palm Mite

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 25 the many health benefits of coconuts as well The tax on coconut oil would push up as its diverse culinary uses. “Our goal is to the prices, leaving consumers to shift to educate consumers about the simplicity of other edible oils where there was zero per natural lifestyle and how coconuts can cent tax. Imported palm oil at much cheaper contribute to that in your day-to-day healthy prices has already made inroads into the living, preventing sickness and diseases,” Kerala markets in a big way, he said. says founder Anne Josef. It’s a Free According to him, there has been a General Admission event featuring delicious considerable reduction in the arrival of food vendors, natural products, chefs, impure coconut oil from neighbouring States naturopathic doctors, authors, health following the initiatives of COMA to check lecturers, farmers, and local businesses adulteration at border check posts. promoting health and wellness through the use of coconuts. The festival also goes nuts Meanwhile, the Onam festival demand with entertainment, children’s games, coupled with active corporate buying coconut bowling contests, hula contests, pushed up prices of coconut oil and copra free yoga, acro yoga, and cultural by at least Rs200 a quintal in Kerala and performers. The first 500 attendees will Tamil Nadu in the last two days. receive complimentary goodie bags. Coconut oil prices went up to Rs7,800 (http://philippinereporter.com) a quintal in Kerala and Rs7,600 in Tamil Nadu, while copra prices shot up to Rs5,400 TRADE NEWS and Rs5,200 respectively. A buyers’ trend is prevailing in the market, which is likely to

continue, he said. KERALA OIL TRADERS URGE GOVT TO Bharath Khona, former Member, REMOVE TAX ON COCONUT OIL COMA, said that the price increase is The Cochin Oil Merchants Association evident in the loose oil market in Tamil (COMA) has approached the Subject Nadu which went up to Rs1,200 for 15 kg Committee (Economic Affairs), Kerala against last week’s level of Rs1,100. Legislative Assembly, seeking withdrawal of (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com) the five per cent tax on coconut oil imposed FESTIVAL DEMAND LIFTS COCONUT in the State budget. OIL Thalath Mahmood, President, COMA, After lying low for more than a year, said that all the successive governments coconut oil market seems to be on the boil have fully exempted coconut, copra and its again, thanks to a firm export as well as products from the levy of tax under KVAT Onam festival demand. Act and the proposed amendment to bring back those levies would be detrimental to Coconut oil prices started moving the industry as well as coconut farming. northwards touching Rs8,800 a quintal in Kerala and Rs8,950 in Tamil Nadu this Even if tax is levied on coconut oil or week. Copra prices also moved up at copra, he said it would not bring any benefits to coconut oil in view of the input Rs6,010/quintal and Rs5,950 respectively. tax credit mechanism. Even in the absence According to Prakash Rao, Director, of exemption on coconut and copra, oil Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA), millers will be liable to pay tax on the end- the market is in upward trend from the product like coconut oil at 5 per cent without recent price crash. The recovery from lower any rebate. Thus, the levying of the tax on coconut oil in the budget would impact the levels is primarily due to the upcoming traditional coconut oil industry which festival season and the accumulation of comprises around 1,200 millers in the small used stocks by major stockiest and and medium sector. corporates.

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 26 | Page

With international prices of coconut oil Copra meal shipment suffered marked now tangible with Indian prices, the market setback. Volume at 5,800 MT slashed by is witnessing a firm export demand, 85.0% prior year data at 38,557 MT. The especially from the US, Europe, said PV lowest so far this year, this month foreign Alexander, another Director of COMA. sales trimmed the five-month average at 22,658 MT by 74.4%. Vietnam was the sole This is evident from the increase in destination of copra meal export for the export prices of coconut oil, which fetched month. $1,550 per tonne last week compared to $1,300 in February - March. Desiccated coconut was top performer (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com) during the month posting generous upturn of 75.0% at 7,046 MT from 4,026 MT year- COCONUT OIL, COPRA GAIN earlier. Total for the month also outpaced The price of the copra and coconut oil by 35.8% the monthly average at 5,188 MT. increased suddenly on Tuesday. “Coconut Oleochemicals was the other growth sector oil which was sold below Rs1,200 per 15-kg with external trade at 2,450 MT in copra pack a few days back, increased sharply terms delivering a 17.8% increment from and was sold at Rs1,350 today. Copra was year-ago at 2,079 MT. However, shipment sold at Rs5,900-6,000 a quintal on supply this month showed a shortfall of 17.9% from concerns. This has created a hope with the the monthly average at 2,983 MT. There oil crushers and traders that the price of the has been no shipment of copra since coconut oil may increase further,” said RM February to date. Records show, however, Palanisamy, an oil trader. Meanwhile, the that last year in June copra export was 70 price of the palm oil also increased to MT. Rs6,040/quintal. Total export for the first half of this (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com) year stood at 557,083 MT in copra terms, PHILIPPINE EXPORT OF COCONUT registering a 23.2% deficit from 725,022 MT PRODUCTS DOWN IN JUNE at the same time last year. Breakdown is as UCAP preliminary data show export of follows, in MT: copra 23 (294 last year), coconut products in June slipped 3.8% coconut oil 307,879 (416,007), copra meal year-on-year to 121,167 MT in copra terms 119,091 (190,537), desiccated coconut from 125,911 MT. The figure, the highest 32,985 (31,696), oleochemicals as copra so far recorded during the year, lifted prior 17,365 (15,393). (UCAP Bulletin) month unofficial total at 87,895 MT by a THAI BEVERAGE FIRM TAKES 40% whopping 37.9% and as well pronouncedly STAKE IN COCONUT FACTORY outstripped the five-month average Thailand functional beverages (January-May) at 87,183 MT by 39.0%. manufacturer Sappe has taken a 40% stake Export of coconut oil at 67,929 MT in coconut processor, Coconut Factory Co. reduced by 8.3% last year total at 74,048 Ltd., for US$4 million, according to MT but was way ahead by 41.5% from the FoodNavigator-Asia.com. Sappe will buy monthly average at 47,990 MT. Shipment 672,000 ordinary shares at US$3.11 each. Coconut Factory Co. owns All Coco during the month was the highest recorded Company, which manufactures coconut- during the year. The United States was this based beverages, and K Best Farm month major destination dislodging Company, which exports more than 20 consistent market leader Europe. Volume to million coconuts annually to 20 countries. the US was 33,209 MT representing 48.9% The share purchasing is expected to be of total trade while as close second, Europe completed by October this year. was responsible for 32,220 MT or 47.4%. Sappe is a Thai functional beverage Japan remained in the third spot with uptake and powders manufacturer with a special this month at 2,500 MT (3.7%). focus on beauty-conscious consumers. Its

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 Page | 27 six-fornula flagship Sappe Beauti Drink has Minister said his office aims to implement been on the market for 10 years. Sappe’s the usage of B10 biodiesel within this year. Chief Executive Piyajit Ruckariyapong said He said discussions with various parties the Coconut Factory deal would help were still ongoing and the ministry has expand the company’s fruit juice portfolio, received a lot of feedback. “We have met which contributed 60% of its total revenue carmakers, petrol station operators and I last year. He also said it was to tap into the growing global demand for coconut water, think we will have a few more meetings”, he although claims of its nutritional benefits told reporters at the launch of My Hawker remain contested. (UCAP Bulletin) app last week. (UCAP Bulletin)

COCONUT TECHNOLOGY OTHER VEGEOIL NEWS NEWS

RSPO LIFTS IOI’S SUSPENSION KERALA DEVELOPS NEW WAY TO COLLECT COCONUTS The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has lifted the suspension of The Kerala Agricultural University Malaysian palm oil supplier IOI citing “good (KAU)’s Agricultural Research Station (ARS) progress” made by the group, reports the at Mannuthy has come up with a solution to FoodNavigator.com. The recommendation help farmers harvest coconuts, a report from The Hindu has said. KAU has designed a came from the certification body’s coconut cradle that can collect and store complaints panel which has been reviewing coconuts at crown itself. This is in response the case, and was endorsed by its board of to worries about coconuts falling on governors. The complaints panel said it passersby and the dwindling number of was satisfied that IOI had met its conditions coconut climbers. through actions taken since its suspension. The coconut cradle has an octagon- The lifting took effect August 8. shaped collection basket, two pulleys with RSPO said it welcomed “the good bracket that fixes the cradle to the coconut progress” IOI has achieved so far, but palm and a roller assembly to wind the added: “The Board of Governors wishes to plastic rope. The collection basket is 2.5 m in diameter and 75 cm depth. It is made up make it clear that the implementation of the of 50 mm x 50 mm and 3.17 mm thick GI action plan by IOI shall be subject to an wire mesh and has capacity to hold 50 independent ground verification by a team coconuts. The basket has a 50 cm x 65 cm of experts.” These experts will be appointed size door through which coconuts can be by the RSPO secretariat within the next 30 dropped. The climber can enter the cradle days, it said, and IOI will continue to submit through this door and clean the palm crown quarterly progress reports, as it has been and collect coconuts. A bracket with two mandated to do by the panel since May. pulleys is fixed at the top of the palm. A (UCAP Bulletin) plastic rope runs through the pulley, which can lift the basket up and down. The basket is positioned 1.5 m below the palm crown. DID YOU KNOW……. (UCAP Bulletin)

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH

BIO-DIESEL NEWS COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is highly regarded for its MALAYSIA TO IMPLEMENT B10 THIS myriad of health benefits and its incredible YEAR versatility. It can be used in cooking, baking, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, Ministry skin care and much more. Nutrient-rich of Plantation Industries and Commodities

COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016 28 | Page coconut oil has many uses but here are some of the top contenders for daily use! COCONUT RECIPE 1. Oil pulling: Coconut oil is antimicrobial, making it a great choice for “Peanut Butter, Banana and Coconut this practice. Just swishing about a Muffins” tablespoon in your mouth for about 15 to 20 These muffins have a delicious hint of minutes in the morning will help to remove coconut, due to the replacement of toxins and other nasty stuff from your teeth margarine or oil with coconut oil. They make and gums. for a great breakfast or any time snack. 2. All-over moisturizer: Coconut oil is an They are hearty, due to the addition of extremely rich, creamy oil, making it great peanut butter and bananas. They also taste for both face and body moisture. You can fantastic the next day, reheated in the oven even use it to condition your hair and heal or toasted. chapped lips! Ingredients: 3. Heal sunburns: The cooling, - 1 ½ cups of flour moisturizing nature relieves dryness and pain. Antioxidants and fatty acids help to - ½ c. oats or hot multi-grain cereal heal. (raw) 4. Bug bites: Coconut oil can help to - 1 T. baking powder reduce itching and promote healing. The - ½ t. salt anti-inflammatory properties may even help - 2 bananas, mashed to reduce swelling. - 1/3 c. cup peanut butter 5. Makeup remover: A non-irritating, - 1/3 c. coconut oil natural way to remove even waterproof makeup! - ¾ c. soy or almond milk - ¼ c. sugar 6. Acne-eraser: It may seem odd to rub oil on your face to heal acne, but it really - ½ c. brown sugar works! The antimicrobial nature of coconut Method: oil stops acne in its tracks. - Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 7. Brain-boosting: Consuming coconut your muffin tins. oil may help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive decline. - In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking powder and salt. In another 8. Pots and pans: You can use coconut large bowl, mash the bananas with a oil as a base to season cast-iron cookware. fork. Add the peanut butter and Once well-seasoned, you’ll be able to fry coconut oil and mix well. Add the soy some farm-fresh eggs on a cast-iron pan or almond milk, sugar, and brown without any sticking! sugar, and mix well. Add the dry 9. Polish: Coconut oil is a great all- ingredients to the wet ingredients, and natural furniture polish. This makes it an stir until just mixed. Spoon the batter excellent choice for people with pets, who into the muffin tins, and bake for about tend to be drawn to scented cleaners, or 23-26 minutes. (This is a guideline, as children. You can use it to polish wood all ovens are different. I would check furniture and metals. after 20 minutes for doneness. Mine were ready in about 23 minutes, but 10. Leather: Coconut oil can help remove they could probably take as long as 26 scuffs and other marks from your favorite minutes). (http://www.happycow.net) sofa or shoes. (http://www.newstarget.com)

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STATISTICS

Table 1. Indonesia's Monthly Exports of Coconut Oil (in MT), 2014 - 2016

2014 2015 2016 Month Volume Value (FOB) Volume Value (FOB) Volume Value (FOB) (MT) US$’000 (MT) US$’000 (MT) US$’000

January 53,611 62,377 64,432 73,301 68,868 73,468 February 77,599 93,745 60,555 68,594 47,133 52,896 March 56,913 71,762 69,121 75,683 37,909 44,874 April 80,315 100,903 86,396 92,119 62,600 80,883 May 54,887 71,821 64,948 69,524 53,262 76,470 June 80,873 106,168 73,410 78,453 60,407 84,254 July 50,853 65,287 44,067 48,109 August 76,013 95,690 75,479 79,382 September 65,553 77,628 62,143 63,381 October 59,503 68,130 34,762 35,571 November 57,867 64,978 82,811 83,835 December 57,432 65,169 41,257 44,030 Total 771,419 943,660 759,381 811,981 330,178 412,845

Source: BPS-Statistics Indonesia

Table 2. Philippines's Monthly Exports of Coconut Oil (in MT), 2012-2016

Month 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016*) January 63,517 115,186 42,360 60,658 49,678 February 42,854 61,899 69,476 59,179 65,105 March 63,649 142,991 49,091 133,437 33,728 April 58,900 99,070 40,613 54,776 40,374 May 70,680 110,106 81,167 33,909 June 79,750 102,404 64,595 74,048 July 92,600 115,104 73,729 75,769 August 82,325 65,870 111,175 82,866 September 71,922 69,980 131,275 80,406 October 80,380 71,661 109,171 81,646 November 45,060 82,126 56,017 79,635 December 30,000 88,389 28,304 36,823 Total 781,637 1,124,786 856,973 853,152 Source: United Coconut Associations of the Philippines *) Preliminary figures

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Table 3. International Prices of Selected Oils, September 2013-August 2016, (US$/MT)

Coconut Soybean Oil Palm Oil Palm Kernel Sunflower Year Month Phil/Indo Dutch Malaysian Oil Oil EU (CIF. Rott.) (FOB ex-mill) (CIF Eur.) (CIF. Rott.) (Fob. NW. EU) 2013 September 926 1,013 822 914 980 October 945 968 846 900 987 November 1,009 1,191 920 1,060 1,003 December 1,268 995 911 1,150 977 2014 January 1,255 1,000 925 1,160 1,110 February 1,284 762 884 1,263 1,137 March 1,385 769 940 1,383 1,152 April 1,293 745 908 1,285 1,125 May 1,370 695 918 1,258 1,127 June 1,363 769 858 1,233 1,112 July 1,304 730 796 1,223 1,122 August 1,177 719 797 985 992 September 1,181 725 715 891 983 October 1,144 657 719 943 1,045 November 1,192 645 726 970 1,067 December 1,195 670 690 967 905 2015 January 1,155 715 694 1030 837 February 1,187 689 670 1060 802 March 1,091 690 667 1062 801 April 1,071 743 661 986 822 May 1,133 781 659 966 904 June 1,110 793 666 922 918 July 1,101 767 647 875 832 August 1,056 738 571 771 915 September 1,063 830 538 798 815 October 1,108 727 583 860 883 November 1,060 713 549 778 818 December 1,150 768 552 832 886 2016 January 1,155 727 566 894 846 February 1,216 758 640 988 869 March 1,448 761 686 1,213 842 April 1,586 796 722 1,304 857 May 1,445 791 706 1,234 868 June 1,563 798 683 1,312 851 July 1,508 789 651 1,274 817 August 1,499 825 676 1,276 870 Source: Cocommunity and Oil World

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COCOMMUNITY, VOL. XLVI NO. 9, 1 September 2016