Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 16: As temperatures soar across the country, the demand for cool and healthy beverages has surged, leading to a sharp increase in the price of tender coconuts. Once sold for around Rs 40 to Rs 45, tender coconuts are now retailing at Rs 65 in many regions, with experts warning that the price may cross Rs 100 by the end of the year.
Traditionally, tender coconuts were supplied to the coastal Karnataka region from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mandya, and Tumakuru. However, due to increased demand in Maharashtra and New Delhi, the supply to coastal Karnataka has seen a notable dip. This has made it difficult for vendors to source adequate quantities to meet local demand.
The price surge of tender coconuts is attributed to multiple factors. Over the past two years, there has been a significant 40% increase in the production of coconut-based by-products such as ice creams and chocolates. At the same time, coconut yields have seen a general decline. Additionally, there is a growing demand for pure coconut oil, further driving up prices. The intense summer heat has also led to a spike in the consumption of tender coconuts, as people turn to them for their perceived health benefits, contributing further to the rising prices.
In the national capital, New Delhi, a single tender coconut is being sold for Rs 100. On average, over 3 lac tender coconuts are supplied daily from southern states to cities like Delhi and Mumbai to meet their growing demand. Meanwhile, the price of coconuts has reached Rs 65-70 per kg, while copra prices have climbed from Rs 750 to Rs 1,000 per kg. Even discarded coconut shells are in demand, selling for Rs 30 per kg, collected and sold by traders from rural areas.
The price of tender coconuts, coconuts, and copra varies significantly across different states. In New Delhi, tender coconuts are being sold at Rs 90 to Rs 100 each, while coconuts cost around Rs 80 per kg and copra is priced at Rs 800 per kg. In Karnataka, tender coconuts are available for Rs 45 to Rs 65, coconuts for Rs 75 per kg, and copra for Rs 750 per kg. Tamil Nadu sees tender coconuts priced between Rs 50 and Rs 55, coconuts at Rs 60 per kg, and copra at Rs 700 per kg. In Kerala, tender coconuts range between Rs 50 and Rs 55, coconuts are priced at Rs 74 per kg, and copra costs Rs 750 per kg. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, tender coconuts are priced at Rs 60, coconuts at Rs 65 per kg, and copra at Rs 700 per kg.
Regarded as ‘Kalpavriksha’ or the divine tree of life, the coconut tree continues to be a vital source of income for farmers, with every part of it commanding a strong market value. A single tender coconut is currently selling at Rs 65, while whole coconuts fetch around Rs 70 per kg. Even the coconut shells, often considered waste, are now in demand, selling for Rs 15 to Rs 22 per kg. Coconut leaves are being sold in bundles priced between Rs 5 and Rs 10, and coconut husk bundles are fetching around Rs 80 in the market.
A consultant with a coconut farmers’ producer organization, stated that with coconut-based products like ice creams and chocolates gaining popularity in cities like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Bengaluru, the demand for both tender coconuts and coconuts has spiked. Coupled with extreme summer heat and reduced supply, the market is witnessing an unprecedented surge in prices.