Coconut Market Update 17th November 2025

Typhoon Fung Wong (locally called Super Typhoon Uwan) caused significant disruption to the coconut industry in the Philippines, particularly in the regions most exposed to its destructive path.

Extent of Damage

According to the latest government and NGO reports, agricultural losses totalled ₱ 502 million, primarily affecting rice, while coconut-producing regions in Leyte, Samar, and the Bicol area experienced significant supply chain disruptions and crop damage.

The typhoon impacted over 2,400 hectares of farmland, with overall crop losses exceeding 8,200 tons.

Coconut farms in Southern Leyte, Cebu, and Eastern Samar were particularly devastated, facing fallen trees, disrupted logistics, and prolonged power outages.

Although detailed estimates of coconut-specific losses and their downstream effects, such as price changes and export delays, are still being finalised, the industry was already weakened by earlier typhoons this month.

Infrastructure damage- including roads and power networks- has further hindered coconut transportation and processing, stretching recovery efforts.

Recovery Efforts

Over 380 million pesos (USD 6.4 million) in emergency financial aid was announced for affected farmers across all sectors.The government and NGOs are prioritising the coconut sector in restoration plans due to its importance to local livelihoods in the strike zone.

Desiccated Coconut Prices

The price range for desiccated coconut in the export market has remained steady for the eleventh consecutive week, pegged at 147–190 ¢/lb. FOB.

Comparing weekly averages (week ending November 8, 2025):

International: Sellers for the USA, Europe, and Others maintained their position at 172.33 ¢/lb. FOB, showing zero change from the prior week. This figure is significantly higher than the 99.33 ¢/lb. FOB recorded in November 2024.

Domestic: The local Manila price range for desiccated coconut (P/100 lbs. bag) tracked mildly upward, with sellers quoting P5,294–5,588. The average sellers price was P5,441.00, a slight increase of P2.00 from the previous week.

Coconut Oil Pricing

International Market

The Rotterdam coconut oil market remained quiet, with no trades reported for two weeks following the last reported transaction. The market sentiment appeared to react to the typhoon that made landfall in the Philippines.

Opening quotes for November/December through March/April 2026 positions were up at 2,405–2,460/MT CIF**.

The reported daily CIF price for Europe stands at $2,465.00/MT.

Domestic Market (VAT Exclusive)

Crude Coconut Oil (CNO) closing offers rose slightly, moving to P142–151/kilo this week, up from P141.30–151.00 last week.

RBD Coconut Oil (RBD CNO) closing offers were trimmed slightly to P153–155/kilo, down from P153.50–155.50 in the prior week. Buyers remained generally quiet in the local coconut oil market.

Local Copra Prices Summary

Local copra prices demonstrated another climb this week.

Daily Average Price (November 13, 2025, P/Kg):

The national average Millgate price settled at P73.58/Kg. This represents a rise of P1.68 from the average of P72.04 recorded last month. Region XII reported the highest millgate price at P79.00/Kg.

The national average Farmgate price was P60.75/Kg, an increase of P1.75 from the price recorded last week.

Container Shipping News

For shippers transporting goods from Asia to North-west Europe, container rates into Rotterdam have increased but remain well below pandemic peak levels. According to Drewry’s latest World Container Index, spot rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam are slightly above US$2,000 per 40ft container, which is a 3% weekly increase and the first time since early autumn that this trade route has surpassed the US$2,000 mark.

The overall WCI has decreased by 5%, to roughly US$1,859 per 40ft, highlighting that the Asia–Europe trade is tightening while other routes are softening. Carriers are now aiming to utilise this period to push through higher Freight All Kinds rates of US$3,000–3,650 per FEU starting mid-November, ahead of contract negotiations. If these contracts are confirmed, they would set a higher cost baseline for 2026 coconut shipments into Europe.

Meanwhile, Drewry warns that if Suez route disruptions normalise, the supply–demand balance could weaken, indicating short-term upward pressure but also the risk that current General Rate Increases (GRIs) could be retracted if capacity and demand fall out of alignment.

Note:

The Rotterdam market is rarely used nowadays. Most transactions are handled directly by major commodities traders, typically known as ABCD—Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus, with Wilmar also being a significant player. These firms buy directly from millers in the Philippines, thus bypassing the Rotterdam market. When we refer to a quiet market, it doesn’t necessarily mean no business is being done; rather, it is just not publicly disclosed. Therefore, it shouldn’t be seen as an indicator of the market’s overall health or future direction. The UCAP in the Philippines relies on this information for its market forecasts, as it is the only available resource. We also pass this information on as part of our many information sources, noting that we do not have access to private trades beyond our own.