Virgin coconut oil (VCO) will outstrip export potentials of other Philippine coconut products, the head of a nationwide association of VCO producers said yesterday.

"With government help, the Philippine VCO will soon outstrip the export potential of other Philippine coconut products, including oils, particularly of the RBD (refined, bleached and deodorized) type", said Teresa E. Santos, president of the 70-member Virgin Coconut Oil Producers and Traders Association (VCO Philippines).

"VCO Philippines and our foremost product, the Philippine VCO will soon stamp our mark on the Philippine scene in more ways than one soon enough," she said.

Government data show that today, 3.5 million Filipino coconut farmers produce 59 percent of the world's coconut exports.

"The foreign market beckons, and it will just be a matter of time - and the right blend of superb marketing strategies - to push the 'healthiest oil on earth' into the world's collective consciousness," Santos said.

One of the pioneers in the VCO sector and producing her own Prosource Extra Virgin Coconut Oil brand, Santos cited the significant advances she made into the foreign market at the Anaheim Exposition in California last March.

Santos said she negotiated prospective deals amounting to $2 million that would be spread over a year.

She added that she also closed substantial sales with Seafood City and Island Pacific, two of the biggest stores distributing Philippine products in the US.

"Prosource has been duly certified organic by the Europe-based certifying body, the Oko-Garantie BCS, and stamped it with 'Organic USDA' seal. Of course, it is registered with the Philippine Coconut Authority and approved by the Philippine Bureau of food and Drug (BFAD)," she added.

Prosource International is also the only Philippine VCO brand to date which has won the prestigious LATMA (Labels and Tag Manufacturers Association of Australia) Award, winning the top 'Most Recommendable Award' during the 2005 Artistic International

Label Competition in Adelaide, Australia, Santos said.