Philippine Export of Coconut Products Down in December

The Philippine coconut industry got a big boost as the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) excluded coconut from the list of tree nuts, which are classified by the agency as major food allergens. (Ref. UWB of January 16, 2025).
In a statement, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said “Coconut’s exclusion as a tree nut alleviates significant trade challenges for coconut-based products in the US market”. 
The agency noted that consumers and the coconut industry stand to benefit from this move.“For consumers, this means fewer misleading allergen labels on coconut products. While individuals allergic to tree nuts often assume they must avoid coconuts, the FDA’s clarification sets the record straight,” it said.  The agency added that the development marked the lifting of a ‘labeling stigma’ that has long hindered the market potential of coconut-based products for the industry.
Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte said the delisting of coconut as a major food allergen can boost demand for coconut products and encourage more producers and consumers to support coconut-based/containing products, which in turn will benefit the coconut farmers and exporters. The delisting is expected to enhance market confidence in the use of coconut as an ingredient in food products and supplements, providing a “significant boost” for Philippine coconut exporters in the US market.  DTI said this milestone follows “decades of lobbying” by the Philippine coconut farmers and exporters.  
Coconut stakeholders welcomed the development and underscored the need for science-based information in global policymaking.  “It is a welcome development and great news for the coconut industry, not only in the Philippines but globally. The issue on food allergens has been running for decades. Finally removing coconut as a tree nut eliminates one issue against it. This is the result of a joint private-government sector effort,” United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP) Executive Director Yvonne Agustin said.
Peter Paul Philippine Corporation Sales, Marketing and Export Vice President Rhoey Lee Dakis said the USFDA decision provides much-needed clarity for consumers, manufacturers, and the broader industry.  “It ensures that coconut products are no longer subject to unnecessary allergen labeling or misconceptions… We believe this progress will further strengthen the global coconut industry by removing barriers and offering consumers accurate, reliable information,” Dakis said