US canola makers mount lobby against PH coconut oil

Local coconut oil (CNO) exporters are alarmed at revived lobby of American canola oil manufacturers against CNO which has already caused a hold on some orders for the export shipment particularly of health product virgin coconut oil (VCO).

Such stoppage of export will affect the CNO industry which brings a $1-billion export earnings for the country with an average shipment of 80,000 metric tons (MT) per month at a value of around $1,500 per MT.

Coconut exporter Franklin Baker together, with other coconut product manufacturers and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), is coming up with a proactive stance against recent pronouncements of American Heart Association (AHA) against CNO’s health effects.

“The lobby of American (manufacturers) against coconut oil had already happened around 15 years ago. But now that they’re reviving it, it has included virgin coconut oil which is affecting many of our exporters. Some orders have already been put on hold,” said Cesar Galvez, Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines (FBCOP) vice president for operations, in an interview.

FBCOP itself is exporting VCO as it exports many coconut products like desiccated coconut and fresh coconut milk to Europe, United States, and Japan.

Food ingredient manufacturer D&L Industries also makes and markets coconut oil-based health product “Laurin” through affiliate Chemrez Technologies.

The AHA came up with new statements saying coconut oil has “82 percent fat” that is saturated which makes it cause increase in cholesterol, reported globalnews.ca.

Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP) Officer Pablito M. Villegas said CAMP is countering the statements of AHA which is apparently prompted by a lobby of American soybean oil/canola oil manufacturers.

“Bruce Fyfe and Dr. (Fabian) Dayrit have published a book documenting the health benefits of virgin coconut oil. But this lobby is again using health authorities through the American Health Association in order to fight virgin coconut oil,” said Villegas.

Dayrit has clinical studies on VCO’s health benefits.

“There are evidence to show VCO has cured AIDScausing HIV (human immunodeficiency virus),” Villegas said.

Globalnews.ca reported that the AHA is recommending consumers to reduce consumption of coconut oil.

“According to a recent advisory update published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, in order to prevent heart disease, saturated fats should be replaced with poly- and monounsaturated vegetable oils. All of which spells trouble for coconut oil.”

The Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) called a meeting Friday with coconut oil manufacturers and other agencies in order to counter the American soybean oil makers’ lobby.

“We’ll come up with a position paper on it,” said Galvez.

FBCOP just inaugurated early this year a coconut processing plant in Sta.Cruz, Davao del Sur which is now one of world’s largest coconut facilities and which will process VCO.

The plant which is in a 15hectare economic zone is said to be capable of offering job opportunities for around 4,000 workers.