The Philippine expects the volume of coconut product exports to bounce back this year to 1.916 million metric tons in copra terms as the local industry recovers from damage caused by typhoons in 2006.

In an interview, Philippine Coconut Authority Deputy Administrator Arturo Liquete said the expected volume this year was 12.2 percent more than last year's volume of 1.707 million tons.

Contributing to the expected growth is the project increase in local coconut production due to favorable weather.

PCA expects coconut production this yea to expand to 2.566 million tons in copra terms, up to 9 percent from last year's 2.357 million tons and an improvement over the initial estimate of 2.43 million tons.

Meanwhile, domestic consumption is likewise expected to grow by 4 percent to 650,000 tons, up from last year's 625,000 tons, Liquete said.

For the fist half of the year, Liquete said coconut-based exports had already hit as much as 929,029 tons.

Of this figure, coconut oil accounted for more than half, with the export volume estimated at 498,414 tons as of June.

The Philippines is currently the world's biggest exporter of coconut oil.

For 2008, the PCA earlier said that it expected the volume of coconut oil exports to increase by 12.8 percent to 1 million tons, from last year's 886,057 tons.

To ensure sustained production, PCA Administrator Oscar Garin earlier said that the agency had several programs underway, including a fertilization project that will run from 2008 to 2012.

"For this year, we need some P1.89 billion for the fertilization of coconut lands to produce that additional 130,000 MT; another P2.59 billion in 2009 for an additional 270,000 MT; P2.59 billion in 2010 and P700 million by 2011," Garin said earlier.

Other programs currently being implemented by the PCA include the intercropping strategy; planting and replanting of some 25,000 hectares with coconut hybrid and local improved varieties; establishing coconut seed gardens in 68 provinces; and diversifying of monocopped areas.

The agency is likewise developing non-traditional coco products such as biodiesel and coir fibers; promoting copra processing technologies and setting up of village level processing centers.

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