HIGHER production is expected to boost Philippine coconut exports to about $3 billion next year despite price fluctuations, the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP) said on Wednesday.
“For next year, our forecast is a higher production because our trees have recovered, which is usually always right because we go around the Philippines, the rain patterns, and there are no destructive typhoons,” UCAP Chairman Marco Reyes said.
Reyes said higher yields, improved prices, and sustained demand will bolster revenues from coconut exports.
“The export market is just looking for whatever we have… and they need much, much more of the coconut,” he added.
For 2025, UCAP estimated export revenues to hit $2.6 billion, nearly the same as the $2.66 billion recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2024.
“We might achieve the same sales revenue with more volume, but the price per kilo is likely to be a little bit lower,” UCAP vice chair Dean Lao Jr. said.
The group stressed that coconut prices in the market are anticipated to decline after reaching record highs at least three times.
“I think the price will go down a little bit, but the supply will make up for it,” Reyes said.
Lao said the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump in early 2025 will not affect coconut exports to the United States since some coconut products, such as coconut (copra) oil, are exempted.
“The fact that the US consumers have demand for coconuts and they don’t have any coconut trees in the US. The balance of trade is that they need our coconuts,” he said.
“They need coconut oil for their health. Now, we are penalizing American consumers and now, they have to pay more,” he added.
