N. Sulawesi Exports 6,000 Tons Of CCo To U.S

Manado, N Sulawesi, Jan 11(ANTARA) - North Sulawesi exported 6,000 tons of crude coconut oil (CCO) worth US$4.8 million to the United States earlier this month The exports would strengthen the market foothold of the province`s main commodity in the United State, the head of the regional industry and trade office, Sanny Parengkuan, said here on Friday. CCO has been North Sulawesi`s main export earner, which contributed US$689 million to the province`s total export earning in 2012. The regional office of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said CCO accounted for 76 percent of North Sulawesi`s exports in value last year. The United States import CCO for household cooking oil and to be processed into bio-fuel, Sanny said. North Sulawesi is major supplier of CCO to international market. There are a number of major producers of CCO in the province including Bimoli Group, Agro Makmur Raya, Multi Nabati Sulawesi and Cargill. CCO is expected to continue domination of exports from North Sulawesi this year. Head of international trade division at the regional industry and trade office Hanny Wajong said demand for CCO in the United States has been growing in the past two years.