11-month agriculture exports up 13.8%

Exports of agricultural products rose 13.8 percent to $3.63 billion in the January-November period from $3.19 billion in the same period in 2006, data from the Department of Agriculture showed.

The export volume grew 27.96 percent to 8.43 million metric tons, the data showed.

Exports to the United States amounted to $741.2 million at 860,618 metric tons; to Japan, $430.4 million at 1.59 million metric tons; and to Netherlands, $244 million at 292,126 metric tons.

Desiccated coconut exports rose 14.5 percent in value to $146 million from $128 million but dropped 3.9 percent in volume to 121,596 metric tons. The US accounted for $40.9 million at 31,676 metric tons, the United Kingdom $18.29 million at 16,612 metric tons, and Australia $9.42 million at 7,593 metric tons.

Refined coconut oil exports increased 6.0 percent in value to $172 million from $162 million but fell 21 percent in volume to 774,088 metric tons. Top buyers were the US ($110 million), Japan ($32 million) and Malaysia ($22 million).

Fresh pineapple exports grew 8.5 percent to $53.76 million from $49.54 million and rose 6.67 percent in volume to 255,090 metric tons. Top markets were Japan ($34 million) and South Korea ($12.5 million).

Dried pineapples had as top market the United States, which tool $785,533 worth.

Dried mangoes increased 142 percent to $13.84 million from $5.72 million, with top markets including the United States ($5.48 million), Japan ($2.738 million), and Hong Kong ($1.41million).