16/02/2010 (Solomon Star News) - THE industrial strike action by workers of the Guadalcanal Plain Palm Oil (GPPOL) late last year had affected palm oil production for the month of December.

Central Bank, in its monthly economic bulletin, revealed this.

It said production outcome for palm oil in December was subdued.

"Starting with declines in fresh fruit bunches totalling 9,076 tonne, a 17% fall from the previous month.

"Crude palm oil (CPO) processing fell 15% to 2,066 tonnes from November.

"Palm kernel output declined 17% to 654 tons to 541 tonnes.

"Palm kernel oil output fell 16% to 236 tonnes, while Palm kernel expeller (meal) dropped 5% to 283 tonnes.

"The fall in production was caused by labour strikes during the month, disrupting normal operations," the bank said in the report.

Meanwhile on the positive note, the company recorded its record high export volume of 725 tonnes since opening in May 2006.

Average world price for palm oil rose a third consecutive time to US$791 ($6,240) per tonne, indicative of a 9% growth.