GIFF JOHNSON
It would take a Herculean effort by the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation and copra makers to hit the 7,000 ton mark by the end of the fiscal year September 30.
Four weak months of copra deliveries to the Tobolar Copra Processing Authority in Majuro put the nine-month total tonnage at 4,480 tons, according to statistics provided by the Authority.
This is an average of close to 1,500 tons per quarter, which is well below the performance of the 7,000-ton performance of last three fiscal years.
The RMI had its best fiscal year on record in 2022, with 7,580 tons delivered to Tobolar for processing into coconut oil and other products. The next two years, 2023-2024, produced almost identical levels of copra: 7,224 and 7,275 tons, respectively.
But FY2025 is on track for around 6,000 tons unless the last six weeks can generate a couple of thousand tons.
According to Tobolar statistics there were two months —December and April — with over 1,000 tons each month. But much lower tonnage between 74 and 161 tons was recorded in four of the nine months, leading to the relatively low tonnage for the three quarters. In fact, February and July accounted for only 160 tons together.
Ailinglaplap continued to be the biggest producer with 632 tons, while Arno was in second with 573 tons.
Rounding out the top five is Mili, 438 tons, Maloelap, 388 tons, and Namu 375 tons.