Market Update 12th May 2025

Coconut Oil Update

Export Prices in Rotterdam: Coconut oil export prices are currently ranging between $2,460 and $2,825 per metric ton (MT) CIF, with demand remaining strong despite some softening in closing positions. Notably, the premium of coconut oil over palm kernel oil has widened to an average of $777 per MT, an increase from $660 last week.

Local Prices in the Philippines saw crude coconut oil priced between ₱156.50 and ₱162.50 per kilogram (VAT exclusive), while refined, bleached, and deodorised (RBD) coconut oil is selling for ₱165.50 to ₱169.00 per kilogram. However, buyer activity in the local market remains sluggish.

Desiccated Coconut Update

Export prices for desiccated coconut have remained steady for the fifth consecutive week, holding firm at 145 to 185 cents per pound FOB in the USA, Europe, and other markets.

Domestic Prices (Manila): Domestic prices for desiccated coconut have slightly decreased, now ranging from ₱5,036 to ₱5,316 per 100-pound bag, a drop from the previous week.

Philippine Export Performance Highlights

Coconut oil exports have seen a 44.5% YOY decrease, totalling 65,670 metric tons (MT), although interest from Asian markets appears to be increasing.

Conversely, desiccated coconut exports have recorded a modest year-over-year (YoY) increase of 1.2%, reaching 14,753 metric tons, indicating steady demand on a global scale.

Summary Container Shipping Prices for Q1

Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) averaged $2,773 per 40-foot container year-to-date (YTD) as of early May 2025. As of May 8, 2025, the WCI was at $2,076 per 40-foot container, indicating a general downward trend in rates through the first part of the year.

Currently, rates are 80% below the pandemic peak of $10,377 reached in September 2021, but still 46% higher than the pre-pandemic average of $1,420 recorded in 2019.

Drewry projects a further decline in rates and anticipates a 14.7% year-on-year decrease in industry EBIT for 2025, as supply chain disruptions ease and economic uncertainties continue.