Desiccated coconuts: processing costs are rising
March 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Buyers remain cautious
In the Philippines, copra prices have recently stabilised below the highs seen at the end of 2025. However, there has been little change compared to last week. According to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the average purchase price of oil mills on 6 March was PHP 66.50/kg, while growers were paid an average of PHP 52.75/kg, as stated by the experts at T.M. Duché in their latest report. Despite slight daily fluctuations, the price level thus remains well below the peak values of recent months. At the same time, the domestic coconut oil market is increasingly reflecting higher costs for processing and replacement products.
Prices for coconut oil itself remain high. The PCA reports prices for crude coconut oil between PHP 142.24 and PHP 157.92/kg. RBD CNO ranges from PHP 159.60 to PHP 165.76/kg. At the international level, coconut oil recently recorded a slight price increase, according to the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP). The benchmark price for shipments to Rotterdam was USD 2,218.50/mt CIF. At the same time, trading remains subdued as many buyers are acting cautiously, according to T.M. Duché.
Margin for processors
The market for desiccated coconuts is showing mixed developments. While UCAP's reference export prices for short-term shipments remain at USD 1.49/lb FOB, domestic prices in Manila have fallen. This gives processors some short-term leeway in terms of margins, as commodity prices have fallen since Q4. At the same time, however, risks are rising again due to higher energy and transport costs. The situation in container transport also remains mixed. The World Container Index published by Drewry recently rose by 3% to USD 1,958 for a 40' FCL.
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Desiccated coconuts |
|
|
Quality, origin |
USD/mt |
|
High fat, medium, 65%, FOB Indonesia |
2,450 |
|
High fat, fine, 62%, FOB Vietnam |
2,950 |
|
High fat, medium, FOB Sri Lanka |
2,850 |
|
High fat, fine, FOB Philippines |
2,650 |
|
Trade sources; price indications |
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