Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 27: Ganesh festival is round the corner. During this time, generally the rate of coconut sees an upward trend. However, this year there are no signs of the prices going up as the supply is plenty. Coconut growers are disheartened.

Now the prevailing price is Rs 25 to 27 per kg. For one coconut, the rate is hovering between Rs 11 and 13. In addition to fall in prices, the coconut yield is affected due to yellow palm disease at Swamila Padavu area.

Though the demand for tender coconut is less during monsoon, the prices are still high at Rs 35 to 40 per piece. As tender coconut has demand in Hassan, Mandya, Delhi and Mumbai, the rates have not reduced.

Though tender coconuts are available, the pickers are not available. Even if there are labourers, the growers get less profit as the picker charges Rs 100 to 150 per tree. So removing tender coconut has become an issue for the growers. On the whole, coconut supply is in abundance and that is why prices have fallen, while tender coconut prices are high, but pluck to remove the same are not available.