Virgin coconut oil exports up 268%.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Christine A. Gaylican

PHILIPPINE virgin coconut oil (VCNO) producers exported some 58 metric tons as of May, up 268 percent from the 15.8 metric tons produced during the same period last year, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority.

This translated to a 560-percent increase in export earnings to $369,094 from $56,000 in the first five months of last year.

PCA Deputy Administrator Arturo J. Liquete said in an interview yesterday that the demand for VCNO was steadily increasing with more countries considering it as an alternative food and health supplement.

There are currently 23 VCNO …