19th Floor, Cityland 10, Tower 1,
6815 H. V. dela Costa St. cor. Ayala
Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Tel. No. 00-63-2 8127733
Fax No. 00-63-2 8127733
Email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Coconut production constitutes one of the four major sectors of Philippine agriculture, the others being rice, corn and sugar. Coconut is planted in 2.7 million hectares, which accounts for 23% of the total croplands, and 74% of commercial croplands. About 85% of coconut production is exported in the form of copra, coconut oil and desiccated coconut.  

Copra is the dried meat of the nut, with moisture removed by sun-drying, or by artificial drying. It is processed on the farm level, using simple manual tools and equipment. Coconut oil is extracted from copra through mechanical and chemical processes, using capital-intensive industrial equipment. Coconut oil is valuable as a raw material for a wide array of industrial commodities such us margarine and soap, as well as lauric acid or glycerine-based industrial chemicals. Copra meal (or pellets) is what remain after oil is extracted from copra. Desiccated coconut is the shredded or watered white kernel of mature nuts dried to make it edible for a longer period of time.  

About one-third of the Philippine population depends mainly on coconut production for its livelihood. In light of this, it is obvious that the coconut industry is of crucial importance.

Growing coconut palms

In the tropics, people can plant coconut palms all year.  They half bury the coconut in a horizontal position.  Within six months, a leaf sprouts from one of the eyes and pushes through the husk.  The palm can be transplanted after one to four years.  The palm will bear coconuts after seven or eight years.  Coconut palms need much water and a temperature of at least 72 °F (22 °C) most of the year.