Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol discussed exploratory initiatives for coconut trade relations with Mr. Xu Jun, Vice Chairman, Standing Committee of Hainan Provincial People’s Congress during the latter’s courtesy visit at the DA Central Office in Quezon City on October 8, 2018.

According to Mr. Xu, China imports from Vietnam a total of 200 million whole coconut fruits a year.

In response, the agri chief urged the Hainanese delegation to submit a project proposal.

Currently, the Philippines does not allow the export of whole coconuts because of Executive Order 1016 Issued by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1985.

However, the recent slump in the prices of Copra and the current market demand for unprocessed green coconut have encouraged the Philippine Coconut Authority’s governing board to propose the lifting of the ban on exports.

The Philippines is the largest exporter of coconut products, holding the number 3 spot in coconut production worldwide.

“Submit your proposal, and then we will see. If this will give better income opportunities for the Filipino farmers, we will consider exporting whole nuts to Hainan,” he said.

Piñol has already directed PCA Administrator Romulo De la Rosa to create a technical working group to study on the proposal and make initial agreements.

As soon as everything falls into order, the Secretary may sign a memorandum of understanding, between the Philippines and China, when he visits Hainan in December this year. ### (Jo Ann Grace Pera, DA-AFID)