Latest news with #coconutoil
Al Jazeera
07-06-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Why are ice cream prices soaring this summer?
Staying cool just got a little more expensive this summer. The price of coconut oil, a key ingredient in ice cream, has soared in 2025. Looking ahead, further price gains are likely as demand continues to outpace supply. At the end of May, the wholesale price for Philippine coconut oil delivered in Rotterdam, an industry benchmark, reached $2,800 a tonne, roughly twice as much as the year before. Adverse weather in Indonesia and the Philippines, which together account for three-quarters of global coconut oil supplies, has negatively affected production. Ice cream prices, in turn, have risen. According to an analysis by RIFT, a British business consultancy, United Kingdom supermarket ice lollies and cones shot up by 7.6 percent in May. Due to its high melting point, coconut oil keeps industrially made ice cream solid for longer at room temperature. Crucially for food companies, it does so without affecting ice cream's flavour and texture. The global ice cream industry, worth $81bn in 2024, is now paying close attention to the market dynamics affecting coconut prices. Coconuts are found in the tropics, where they benefit from lots of rain and sunshine. But the El Nino weather pattern, which produces warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures across the Pacific, led to drier weather across Southeast Asia, particularly from June last year to October. During that period, coconut farms suffered from extreme heat and droughts. Because coconuts take a year to grow, last year's weather pattern has meant that palm trees have yielded less fruit than normal in 2025, reducing supply. The United States Department of Agriculture expects that unfavourable weather conditions will see global coconut oil production fall to 3.6 million tonnes in 2024-2025, down 5 to 10 percent from the previous season. Output is also likely to stay low in the 2025-2026 season, according to analysts. In October, the Philippine government mandated blending larger amounts of coco methyl ester, a fatty derivative of coconut oil, with diesel to produce biodiesel. Until recently, the impact of the coconut-for-diesel policy was limited. A blending target of 1 percent was introduced in 2007 and then 2 percent from 2009. But that changed last year, when Manila hiked the target to 3 percent. The government announced a further jump to 4 percent by late 2025 and 5 percent by the end of 2026. A 1-percentage-point increase requires an extra 900 million coconuts for the biofuels market, raising demand and prices. Last year, Philippine Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said: 'Implementing the higher biofuels blend is a win-win solution as we promote economic growth, uphold environmental stewardship and strive for cleaner energy utilisation.' If the Philippine government carries out its plan, it will use 4.5 billion coconuts to generate the 500 million litres of coco methyl ester necessary to meet the biodiesel target by 2026. That would amount to nearly one-third of the country's annual crop of 15 billion coconuts. For context, the US diverts about 40 percent of its annual corn crop into its bioethanol, a fuel made primarily from fermented cornstarch designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to maintain profit margins and contain costs, increasing numbers of chocolate makers have started reformulating products with cocoa substitutes. One of those is coconut oil. In December, the US ICE cocoa futures contract surged to a record $12,931 per tonne, up a staggering 177 percent from the same period the year before. Since then, prices have come down but continue to remain elevated. The high price of cocoa – currently trending about $10,000 per tonne – continues to be supported by crop shortages and resilient consumer demand for cocoa-based products, especially chocolate. Coconut oil is an established alternative for cocoa butter, particularly in vegan or dairy-free chocolate recipes. And even at its elevated price, coconut oil is still cheaper than cocoa. 'I expect many confectionery and chocolate makers to substitute cocoa for coconut oil in the near term,' Felipe Pohlmann Gonzaga, a Switzerland-based commodity trader, told Al Jazeera. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become another source of demand. In recent years, coconuts have been extolled by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kourtney Kardashian for their nutritional benefits. Wellness Mama, a popular healthcare website, lists 101 uses for coconuts, including as a treatment for insomnia, heartburn, cuts, acne, haemorrhoids, mosquito bites and sunburn. In the makeup and beauty market, coconut oil is seen as a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to palm oil. Here too, industrial consumption is rising. While the health benefits of coconut oil continue to be questioned, this niche source of demand is rising. And although they wouldn't have a big impact on their own, health-conscious buyers are entering an already tight market, lifting prices. Despite coconut oil's growing popularity, expanding production is a difficult task. 'Unlike with other crops, coconut farmers can't simply add acres in response to higher prices,' Pohlmann Gonzaga says. 'It takes at least a year for the trees to reach maturity and production. Deforestation concerns and environmental laws also make expansion difficult,' he added. Like palm fruit, coconuts grow on trees in tropical areas where forests would have to be removed to plant more trees. 'The European Union deforestation regulation, for instance, inhibits the destruction of biodiverse forests in order to import monoculture crops,' Pohlmann Gonzaga said. He also pointed out that 'we're moving from El Nino to La Nina, which tends to bring more flooding in Southeast Asia. So planting, harvests and logistics will be impacted.' With demand for coconuts likely to remain firm and supplies constrained, he added that he does not expect the prices to come down anytime soon. 'We can expect ice cream prices to be high this summer and stay high next year,' he said. 'For ice cream lovers out there, it may be time to start looking at fruit-based sorbet substitutes.'
LBCI
04-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
From scoop to spike: Why your next tub of ice cream may cost more
Report by Lea Fayad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian If ice cream is your go-to comfort when it's hot or you're stressed, brace yourself—prices could soon "melt" your budget. Supermarket ice cream may soon get more expensive due to a sharp increase in the global price of coconut oil, a key ingredient in many brands. Coconut oil helps ice cream maintain its texture and freeze properly. But the pressure isn't just coming from the dessert aisle. Demand for coconut oil is surging worldwide, fueled by its use in food products, cosmetics like shampoos and creams, and even as a biofuel alternative in some countries. This spike has already impacted the prices of other goods such as coffee and cocoa, which are also viewed as commodities for investment.
The Sun
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
A £2 Asda buy transformed my thin hair – my ponytail went from the size of my pinky to long and luscious
A WOMAN has revealed how she grew her hair thicker using this simple £2 remedy from Asda. Taking to Reddit, she shared how she took her hair from the size of a pinky in a ponytail to long and luscious using this one clever hack. 5 5 Applying coconut oil to her hair is one full-proof way of ensuring it grows in length and thickness, she said. She added: " I put coconut oil in my ends and saturate them. I let that sit for at least three hours, or ideally overnight with my hair braided and a plastic bag on my head." The oil can be purchased from Asda for as little as £2, which has left many rushing to get their hands on a pot. One commenter, who shared their own problems with thinning hair, enthused: "Thank you so much! I'm going to incorporate your tips!" Whilst another added: "So happy to see this post." For other wonder hacks to maintain thick and healthy hair, content creator Gabriella Barras says anti-dandruff shampoo can do the trick. Gabriella who lives in Dubai, revealed the £6 Boots buy that 'works wonders' for hair loss. Not only this, but she also shared another product that is slightly more expensive, but is 'the best' for hair growth. Posting on social media, the blonde beauty shared a snap of her thinning hairline in March, followed by an image of her fuller hairline just one month later. Alongside the pictures, Gabriella said: 'This is what my hair looked like one month ago and this is what my hair looks like today.' I'm a hairdresser and red flag means your stylist is lying about your thin hair Gabriella then revealed: 'I got quoted 15,000 Dirhams at a hair clinic in Dubai to fix my hair problem - I started noticing that my hair was falling out, especially in my hairline, I was losing so much hair in the shower.' But without paying the shocking hair clinic fee and splashing the cash on expensive treatments, Gabriella was able to notice fast results thanks to two high-street products, as she beamed: 'Then within four weeks, I got it down to this, without any clinical treatment.' First things first, Gabriella expressed that Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which is currently on offer for just £6.12 from Boots, 'worked wonders' for her hairline. She acknowledged: 'This shampoo is game changing - I would wash my hair with this, leave it on my scalp for five minutes, let it soak in, and from the first wash of using this, I noticed a crazy difference.' Everything you need to know about hair loss Marie Nieuwoudt, a Group Education Manager at CLOUD NINE told Fabulous everything you need to know regarding hair loss. What are the common causes of hair loss? Marie explained: "There are so many reasons why someone may face hair loss. "The number one reason is usually hormonal changes or underlying health conditions (like thyroid conditions), and stress of course also plays a big part in changes to your hair health. "But another very common day-to-day cause is excessive damage to your hair created by mistakes in your styling routines – and this a big one to be aware of for people who are regularly applying heat to their hair! "It's important to know the right temperature for your hair type when using styling tools, as this is essential in reducing unintentional heat damage. "I also see a lot of people facing hair loss resulting from hereditary conditions, which are passed down from generation to generation." What are the best hairstyles people should try to reduce their hair loss? According to Marie: "Less is more when it comes to hair loss! It's important to be gentle with your hair, so a low-maintenance style that limits pulling on your scalp will be your best option. "Putting your hair up in a tight ponytail or adding hair clips can cause stress points at the roots. "Instead, try leaving your hair down, or out. "You're not limited in your options, but it pays to be intentional with your hair styling. Using tools which limit damage to your hair is vital. "Discussing your concerns with a hairdresser or hair loss specialist is also a great way to find styles that suit your specific needs, whilst still making sure you look and feel your best." How long does it take for hair loss to stop? If you're itching to know when your hair will grow back, Marie confirmed: "Hair loss is a personal journey – and it's different for everyone, so it's very difficult to put exact timings on this process. "Every head of hair is unique, and so too is your hair loss experience. "As always, you can speak to a professional hairdresser or trichologist about your specific concerns and hair changes, and they'll be able to help you manage those expectations. "I can't emphasise enough how important it is to be kind to your hair. Most people treat their hair quite roughly, and this is something you definitely want to avoid when dealing with hair loss in particular. "Make sure you're choosing products and styling routines that you know are good for your hair, rather than causing additional damage." Then, Gabriella highlighted that she also uses Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam, which contains 5% Minoxidil. Gabriella stressed: 'This Regaine For Men is the best - every single night before I went to bed, I was dotting the Minoxidil all over my hairline.' Thrilled with the product, she claimed that it 'soaks in really well' and 'doesn't make your hair greasy.' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ gabriellabarras, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 497,000 views. Not only this, but it's also racked up 20,900 likes, 471 comments and 23,700 saves. One person said: 'Thank you very much for your recommendations.' 5
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dignity Made Launches to Fight Trafficking with Ethical Coconut Oil
St. Paul, MN, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --Dignity Coconuts, known for its premium, ethically sourced coconut oil, has rebranded as Dignity Made, a powerful new identity that puts its social mission front and center. More than a name change, the launch of Dignity Made signals a bold step forward in using business as a force to prevent human trafficking and empower coconut farmers in rural areas of the Philippines. Rooted in the belief that ethical jobs can prevent exploitation, Dignity Made partners directly with coconut farming communities in the Philippines to provide dignified work, education, and economic opportunity- especially for women vulnerable to trafficking. With each product sold, the brand fuels real solutions to generational poverty and systemic injustice. 'We're not just making coconut oil. We're creating a path out of poverty, one jar at a time,' said Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made. 'Our rebrand reflects who we've truly been all along: a company committed to making better products and a better world.' Same Mission, Bigger Vision Originally founded in 2010 as Dignity Coconuts, the company has earned awards for its raw, centrifuge-extracted coconut oil and transparent sourcing model. Now, with a growing lineup of clean beauty and wellness products, the Dignity Made name reflects a broader commitment to both consumers and the communities behind each the tagline 'Better for You, Better for All,' Dignity Made continues its pledge to offer clean, safe products while empowering the people who make them through fair trade, safe jobs, and skills-based employment. Real Impact Where It Matters To date, the company has helped over 200 families rise above subsistence living. Through on-the-ground programs in financial literacy, education, and job creation, Dignity Made is breaking cycles of dependency and trafficking vulnerability—replacing them with dignity, purpose, and hope. 'I used to feel hopeless,' says Angeline, one of the women employed through Dignity Made. 'Now my child is in school, I have peace at home, and I'm always smiling. I can't explain the joy—it's spreading through our whole community.' As a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation, Dignity Made adheres to the highest standards of ethical production and environmental stewardship, including a goal to have zero-waste coconut processing that maximizes every part of the crop. To learn more or explore Dignity Made's product line, visit Dignity MadeDignity Made is a purpose-driven social enterprise committed to fighting poverty and human trafficking through clean, coconut-based products. By building direct trade partnerships with Filipino farmers and investing in community transformation, Dignity Made goes beyond commerce to create lasting change. Every product supports ethical labor, environmental responsibility, and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live free from exploitation. CONTACT: Press Contact: Heather Holmes heather@ +1 (828) 332-5307 in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
16-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
How Fuel Demand Is Driving Up the Price of Ice Cream
A key ingredient is making your ice cream more expensive: coconut oil. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Javier Blas explains why fuel demand is to blame. (Source: Bloomberg)
