THE Philippine Coconut Authority sees higher production this year, PCA Administrator Dexter Buted told reporters.
“We're doing well,” he said, noting that production may reach 16 to 17 billion nuts this year, up from about 15.3 billion nuts last year, regardless of the El Niño weather, or the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures in the central/eastern Pacific every two to seven years, causing below-normal rainfall, severe drought, and dry spells.
A coconut tree yields an average of 44 nuts annually, Buted said, adding that the PCA wants to double it by investing more in fertilization. The first year of applying agricultural-grade salt or organic fertilizer is expected to increase coconut output by 25 percent, and 50 percent by the second year, Butad said.
Asked how the PCA is preparing for El Niño later this year, Buted said the agency is tapping fertilization and drip irrigation, adding that “not all areas of the country suffer [from] El Niño; there’s still good weather in parts of Mindanao, [which is] our number one coconut producer.”
The PCA also expects copra prices to increase this year by about P5 to P10 per kilogram.
Biodiesel blend
Meanwhile, the PCA is supporting the increase or maintaining the biodiesel blend mandate at 3 percent.
The Biofuels Act of 2006 (RA 9367) mandates blending locally sourced coco methyl ester (CME) into all diesel sold. As of October 2024, the mandatory blend is 3 percent (B3), with planned, phased increases to 4 percent (2025) and 5 percent (2026) to boost the coconut industry and reduce imports, though rising costs had led to discussions on suspending the increases.
“Maintain the 3 percent, then we can go higher at 4, but don’t go lower,” Buted said.
Biodiesel rocessors are aiming for a higher percentage, saying they have the capacity to increase the blend up to 7 percent.
