Balita.ph- August 8, 2011 9:38 pm

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 8 – Three more desiccated coconut plants are slated to rise in Davao Region within this year estimated to infuse an additional P52.3 billion worth of investments to the country’s coconut industry.

Lornito Orillaneda, regional director of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Davao said as of August this year, the country’s coconut industry generated an income of about $ 700 million. Bulk of the income was generated by exports of crude coconut oil, the main product of Philippine coconut, valued at $ 600 million.

Orillaneda said desiccated coconut is the finished product obtained from coconut. The processing consists of de-husking, peeling, milling, drying and sifting. The product is initially produced in a range of particle sizes.

He said the investors of the upcoming three desiccated coconut plants are eyeing to locate in Davao City. The plants are expected to generate 500 jobs.

Aside from the three desiccated plants, a company is also planning to operate a virgin coconut oil (VCO) plant in Panabo City, Davao del Norte projected to generate about 100 employees, Orillaneda said.

He said presently, there are seven existing desiccating coconut plants in Davao Region.

Meanwhile, Orillaneda said coconut industry remains as the country’s top export earner, with Philippines staying to be number two in the coconut production and industry in the world next to Indonesia.

He said Philippines contributes 60 percent to the world’s coconut production with Davao Oriental as top contributor of the country’s coconut production at an average of 2.3 million metric tons annually.

Davao Oriental on the other hand, maintains its title as the coconut province of the world, and Davao Region as top coconut producer in the Philippines, Orillaneda said.

In Davao Region, Davao Oriental ranks number one in coconut production followed by Davao del Sur. Davao City ranks third, Compostela Valley–fourth, and Davao del Norte—fifth, he added. (PNA) LAP/Judy G. Quiros/ldp

Source: 3 desiccated coconut plants soon to rise in Davao Region