Philippine exports of virgin coconut oil (VCO) fell by 38 percent in volume last March, three months before an organization of American heart doctors advised against VCO in the diet.
In terms of value, VCO exports dropped by 40 percent from $9 million or about P420 million.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, showed that VCO was the No. 2 non-traditional, coconut-based export product for that month, a of 16 other exports that recorded receipts of at least $100,000.
Last March, Spain took a third of shipments or 501 tons. Canada, the United States, The Netherlands as well as 17 other destinations divided up the rest of the month’s VCO exports.
