Philippines: Coconut farmers and workers in the Philippines like Alexis Rea have long struggled to reap the full economic benefits of their harvests. The Philippines is the world’s second-largest coconut producer after Indonesia, with coconut oil as its top agricultural export. Coconut oil is also tariff-free in the latest list of exemptions under United States President Donald Trump's tariff impositions. An average of US$2 billion in coconut-derived products are exported yearly from the country, providing a livelihood to about 3 million Filipino farmers. Government data as of 2023 showed the country has 3.6 million hectares of coconut farms.  But factors like market volatility, ageing trees, climate change, and competition from palm oil continue to undermine government efforts to boost supply and revitalise the industry.   https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-coconut-challenges-farmers-climate-change-trees-price-volatility-5371126 (ICE SINGAPORE)

Fonte notizia: CNA, 29 September 2025