Coconut water exports jump 315%

Inquirer file photo

Philippine coconut water is going places.

Coconut water exports jumped 315 percent in the first half of the year to 7.5 million liters, after the popularity of the refreshing beverage started to take off overseas, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said.

Last year the country exported only 1.80 million liters in the same period.

The PCA said the natural product was exported to the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South America, all of whose markets saw a surge in coconut water consumption.

Americans were the biggest consumers, downing 6.19 million liters this year for a 387-percent increase over last year’s 1.27-million liters.

Exports to Europe rose to 213,220 liters from the last year’s 72,280 liters. Asia and the Pacific bought 360,412 liters this year over last year’s 145,778 liters, while  Latin and Central America imported 483,338 liters from 190,990 liters the previous year, the PCA said.

PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes said coconut water had become a popular energy drink abroad because of its natural qualities and lack of chemical preservatives.

Coconut water is rich in potassium and magnesium, and contains a considerable amount of vitamin B which aids in strengthening the muscles, delaying fatigue and maintaining normal heart function.

It is also regarded as a good source of electrolytes and glucose and has been found suitable for intravenous rehydration. It is also a healthy and effective treatment for urinary stones.

Philippine coconut water was in the news recently after President Aquino returned from a visit to the United States where he met with American businessmen who had put up a coconut water processing firm in Camarines Sur.

To meet future demand, Forbes magazine revealed that the Department of Agriculture and the PCA will implement a massive replanting of coconut trees under the Participatory Coconut Planting Project.

The Philippines is the world’s top exporter of coconut products, particularly copra. In the first seven months of 2011, coconut exports totaled $1.22 billion, a 34.74 percent jump over the $908.72 million in the same period last year, the PCA said.