Typhoon hits Philippine coconut oil exports

MANILA, Mar 11 (AFP) :  Philippine coconut oil exports fell 35 per cent at the start of this year, driving up global prices, after a super typhoon destroyed millions of trees, an industry group said Tuesday.
In normal times the Philippines accounts for more than 40 per cent of world exports in the oil, which is used in daily items such as detergents, bath soap and margarine, according to the United Coconut Association of the Philippines.
This led to coconut oil exports falling to 143,870 tonnes in January and February.