"We have to immediately come up with a quality standard, even if only on an interim basis and no matter how tentative. There should be a working reference for producers and consumers," said PCA Administrator Danilo Coronacion.
Coronacion presided over a series of public consultations that will form the basis for the creation of a Philippine National Standard (PNS) for VCNO. The parties involved in the process include the Department of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños-Biotech, UP-Diliman and the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS), and members of the Virgin Coconut Oil Producers and Traders Association of the Philippines (VCOPTA) .
"This should send a message to potential market targets that the industry is serious in setting acceptable standards and to ensure that bad practices are immediately weeded out. This step ensures that with good manufacturing processes, the Philippines’s virgin coconut oil is safe," added Coronacion.
PCA deputy administrator for research, development and extension Carlos Carpio said setting quality standards is critical if the fledgling industry is to reach its potential.
"It is a very promising export industry and realizing the need to come up with quality standards should prevent other manufacturers from taking short cuts in their processes, or even adulterating the product to cut costs. We have seen that happening with the nata de coco before and the potentials of the industry were never realized because of poor manufacturing practices," said Carpio.
BAFPS Director Gilberto Layese said the standards should be able to conform with the standards set by the Codex Alimentarious Commission (CAC).
The CAC is an internationally-recognized food quality standards body of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.
Paulo P. Mamangun Jr., president of the VCOPTA said demand for VCNO is steadily increasing and is expected to grow five-fold this year.
He said the demand is spurred by more countries turning to VCNO as an alternative food and health supplement.
"Based on our estimates, from 100,000 liters exported in 2003, shipment rose 100 percent to 200,000 this year," said Mamangun.
There are now about 23 VCNO manufacturers in the country, each one following their own product-quality standards.
"If we are to really grow as an industry and aim for the export market, there should be harmonized standards that our buyers could expect. We cannot afford to be having individual standards because just one damaging shipment could ruin all our efforts," noted Mamangun.
Currently, VCNO exports go to Singapore, Japan, Korea and the US which is the biggest market.
As copra prices continue to appreciate worldwide, virgin coconut oil likewise command attractive prices and is currently pegged at P500 per liter.