Copra, oil, cattle cake and oleochemistry : An examination of the Philippine coconut sector. - (:unkn) unknown
The Philippines remains the major exporter of coconut products, even though surpassed in area and actual production by Indonesia. However, the sector is less dynamic than formerly, due mostly to the age of plantations, many of which have been abandoned. Most production is of copra, whose quality is not always properly maintained. There was some industrialization in the 1980s, with an expansion in the number of processing plants. However, the processing of copra is prone to either contamination or premature natural decay, and many plants are old and under-utilized. The copra market is generally weak and dominated by the largest oil-plants, who care less for quality than for cost. Other products discussed are grated coconut, the "milk", cattle cake (which is subject to contamination by aflatoxins) and the wood itself (clearing of old trees). A new technique is being tried out for the processing of the coconut kernel, which consists in the elimination of the copra stage altogether, which drasticallyimproves the oil and the cattle cake. Greater cooperation among producers as well as between them and buyers are other measures suggested for improvement.
Incluye 3 referencias bibliográficas.
The Philippines remains the major exporter of coconut products, even though surpassed in area and actual production by Indonesia. However, the sector is less dynamic than formerly, due mostly to the age of plantations, many of which have been abandoned. Most production is of copra, whose quality is not always properly maintained. There was some industrialization in the 1980s, with an expansion in the number of processing plants. However, the processing of copra is prone to either contamination or premature natural decay, and many plants are old and under-utilized. The copra market is generally weak and dominated by the largest oil-plants, who care less for quality than for cost. Other products discussed are grated coconut, the "milk", cattle cake (which is subject to contamination by aflatoxins) and the wood itself (clearing of old trees). A new technique is being tried out for the processing of the coconut kernel, which consists in the elimination of the copra stage altogether, which drasticallyimproves the oil and the cattle cake. Greater cooperation among producers as well as between them and buyers are other measures suggested for improvement.
Keywords: Cocos nucifera.; Copra.; Procesamiento.; Producción.