US Import of Lauric Oils Up in July

Data from Oil World show the US imported 89,200 MT of lauric oils in July this year,  topping same month prior year total at 67,100 MT by a heflty 32.9%.  Of this total, coconut oil accounted for 51.2% or 45,700 MT (37,600 MT in the prior year) while palm kernel oil contributed 48.8% or 43,500 MT (29,500 MT). 

Indonesia was leading supplier of lauric oil to the US during the month responsible for 56.1% total intake at 50,000 MT (27,500 MT) of which 14,700 MT (6,800 MT) was coconut oil and 35,300 MT (20,700 MT) was palm kernel oil.  The Philippines accounted for 28.8% with 25,700 MT (29,800 MT) of coconut oil shipment.  Import from Malaysia was 12,000 MT (8,800 MT) of which 3,900 MT (100 MT) was coconut oil and 8,100 MT (8,700 MT) was palm kernel oil and contributed 13.4%.  Market share of other countries combined was 1.6%, the equivalent of 1,400 MT (1,100 MT) of lauric oils comprising of 1,300 MT (1,000 MT) of coconut oil and 100 MT (100 MT) of palm kernel oil. 

The cumulative import figure for the 7-month period to July was 465,300 MT, down 8.9% from 510,600 MT at the same time last year.  Coconut oil was 266,800 MT (304,300 MT) with the Philippines supplying 68.2% at 181,900 MT (212,100 MT). Palm kernel oil was 198,500 MT (206,300 MT) where 77.6% or 154,000 MT (152,300 MT) originated from Indonesia.