Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Sep 28: The yield of coconuts has fallen by 50% due to excessive rains, plant diseases, increased demand for tender coconuts during the summer season, and the menace of wild animals. For the first time in history, the price of coconuts has surged to Rs 50 per kg.

Previously, the highest price for coconuts in the coastal region was Rs 42 per kg, recorded three years ago. Experts predict that coconuts will remain in high demand for the next four to five months, and the price could reach Rs 60 per kg.

The price of dry coconuts has also skyrocketed. In July and August, the price hovered between Rs 90 to Rs 100 per kg, but it has now jumped to Rs 150 to Rs 160 per kg. The support price for dry coconuts is Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per quintal, but the market price has risen dramatically to Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000 per quintal.

Although growers are pleased with the price increase, many will not see significant profits due to the low yield. Just 15 days ago, one kilogram of coconuts was priced at Rs 28 to Rs 30. The price has suddenly surged by Rs 15 to Rs 20, driven by increased demand from oil mills during the festive season. In the past 20 years, coconut prices have never risen this sharply.

As demand continues to rise, traders and oil mill owners are approaching large coconut farmers for advance bookings.

In the coastal region, around 80,000 hectares are used for coconut farming, with an estimated 1.5 lakh growers (owning more than half an acre of coconut farms). Of these, 60,000 are in Udupi, while the remaining 90,000 are in Dakshina Kannada district.

Japti Satyanarayana Udupa, chief secretary of Bhakisam Udupi, stated, "Coconut prices will continue to rise over the next four to five months. Farmers will only profit if they can sell each coconut for around Rs 30 to Rs 40."

Naveen Chandra Jain, president of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Udupi, added, "The price increase is due to the reduced coconut yield. If the same rate persists, it will be profitable for growers. People are showing a growing preference for pure coconut oil for cooking, which has also contributed to the price increase, along with the monkey menace that has destroyed large amounts of farmland."