Coco Coir and Raw Fiber to China to Increase
March 10, 2011
Press Release -- DTI-11 regional director Marizon S. Loreto said that with the huge market potential of coco coir and peat in the world market, the Philippines needs to increase its production to meet the demand.
Loreto explained that among the many uses of coco coir is in mattress production.
Data from DTI’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) show that China’s annual demand for mattresses is pegged at 100 million pieces. Each bed/mattress needs 4.5 kilograms of coco fiber. It was also noted that China’s demand increases at 20 percent yearly.
Further, China’s import of raw coco fiber in 2009 was recorded at 200,000 metric tons with the Philippines only exporting 1,123 MT or a measly 0.5 percent of the total.
Aside from being used for mattress production, coco coir is likewise processed into geo textile which is for soil erosion control; while the coco peat is used as a growing medium, for bio-engineering difficult-to-vegetate terrain, and for longer water retention in golf courses.
“There is really a promising demand for coco coir and peat. Considering that coconut is one of the biggest industries and export earners of the Philippines, the more that we have to take on the challenge of Pres. Aquino to prioritize coco coir and related products for expansion and market promotion,” Loreto said.
Based on records, 68 out of 79 provinces in the country are coconut areas and 1,195 are coconut municipalities.
The major export markets for coco coir are China, Taiwan/Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. For coco peat, the export markets are Korea, China, Taiwan/Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.
From the Philippine Information Agency
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