Desiccated coconuts: Philippines struggle with double burden

May 26, 2020 at 11:32 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

MANILA. In addition to the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, producers in the Philippines are currently having to cope with the effects of typhoon "Ambo". This double burden raises some problems.

Annual load

The Philippines are one of the countries that are hit hardest by tropical storms every year. Typhoon "Ambo" is currently raging over the island state and has already claimed four lives and caused damage of over 20 million USD. In general, the inhabitants of the country are well prepared for the annual storm season, so that there are at most short interruptions in coconut harvesting and production. This year, however, with the Covid-19 pandemic, producers face a double burden that is difficult to cope with.

Lockdown vs. Evacuation

One of the many problems is that the country is currently still under the lockdown declared by President Duterte in April. This means that around 50 million people are theoretically only allowed to leave their homes in exceptional cases. So far almost 12,000 Filipinos are infected with the virus. The authorities are now faced with the question which of the two disasters threatens more human lives; the evacuation centres may currently only be half occupied and the evacuees must wear face masks. Tens of thousands who would normally have been evacuated are still in their homes.

Prices continue to decline

How the storm will affect coconut production is currently difficult to estimate. The infrastructure was already disrupted by the corona pandemic in advance, making it impossible for many workers to reach the factories. Storm damage is likely to exacerbate this situation. "Ambo", however, is likely to have less impact on the crop estimates, as the eight to nine typhoons that hit the Philippines each year are already included in the estimates. The personnel issue poses much greater problems for factory owners. Prices on the European spot market have fallen slightly as buyers are hesitant due to the great uncertainties. For example, fine desiccated coconuts, low fat, with origin in Indonesia, currently cost EUR 1.27 per kg EXW Poland.

Desiccated coconuts

Quality

EUR/mt

Fine, low fat, Indonesia, EXW Poland

1,270

Medium, low fat, Indonesia, EXW Poland

1,445

Medium, high fat, Indonesia, EXW Poland

1,890

Fine, high fat, Sri Lanka, FCA Spain

2,170

Trade sources

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Feb 21, 2025
THERAN/FRESNO. As the January Shipment Report issued by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (ACP) highlights US exports have slumped. Inventories are limited but projections for the 2025 crop are encouraging. Iran is about to lose its competitive position.
Dried Fruit
Feb 20, 2025
SANTIAGO. Prune production is in full swing in Chile. More favourable weather has created good conditions for a better crop and growers can look forward to higher yields.
Nuts
Feb 19, 2025
MANILA/HANOI. The cultivation of coconut palms is to be increased in both the Philippines and Sri Lanka. This could lead to a shift in market dynamics. Meanwhile, Vietnam recorded a 20% rise in coconut exports last year and wants to expand its cooperation with China.
Nuts
Feb 19, 2025
NAIROBI/CANBERRA. Kenyan farmers and traders are suffering from the export ban on in-shell macadamias. Australian exporters, meanwhile, have reason to celebrate. EU imports in 2024 rose slightly.