Coconut exports rise by 47 pct in Jan.-Sept.

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines has posted 47 percent increase to 1,617,129.06 metric tons (MT) on its coconut exports for the first three quarters of this year compared to the same period last year, a senior government official said today.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Euclides Forbes said copra meal registered the highest percentage change with 60.86 percent up to 630.622.10 MT this year compared with last year's 392,024.90 MT.

Activated carbon is third with 55.43 percent increase to 39,066. 36 MT this year from 25,135.05 MT a year ago.

Forbes also said the value of coco exports from January to September this year climbed to $1.205 billion 3.18 percent higher from last year's $1.167 billion.

This is the fourth successive year that coconut exports value passed $1 billion, he said. Year 2010 registered $1,627 billion while 2011 earned $1.505 billion and 2012 garnered $1.531 billion.

The official also said this year's target of planting 17.5 million coconut seedlings all over the country is 98 percent completed.