One of the staple ingredients in many Indian kitchens, coconut has gotten as expensive as ₹50 per piece in Bengaluru due to limited supply and the growing demand for tender coconuts in the market due to summer season.
Wasim Khan, a coconut vendor from Madiwala, highlighted the impact of extreme weather conditions on coconut production. “Previously, coconuts were priced at ₹30 to ₹35, but now it is not less than ₹45 per piece,” he stated. “The heat has made it difficult to produce and store coconuts, leading to reduced supply and increased wastage due to cracks in the fruit,” he added.
Drought affect lingers
Reeling under last year’s drought, the production of coconut in some of the major cultivation areas like Tumakuru and Chitradurga had come down. The prices are expected to go up further unless there is a good monsoon season in the State this year.
“There was neither any rain nor other sources of irrigation for coconut plantations this time. Moreover, the trees were infected by a couple of diseases too, and hence, the production has decreased by around 50% in both Chitradurga and Tumakuru districts. The price of coconuts might go up further,” said Kantharaj, a coconut farmer from Hiriyur in Chitradurga
While the coconut supply chain gets a little disrupted every year, this time, due to high temperatures it has become worse, according to officials of Coconut Development Board.
“This time, the entirety of Karnataka has been drought-affected, and the arrival of mature coconuts has been very low. I do not see prices decreasing anytime soon, and it is only expected to increase. Furthermore, due to summer, the demand for tender coconuts has increased which has led to farmers choosing not to wait for mature coconuts. Even though this happens every year, due to this year’s unusually hot summer, the prices have been increasing even more,” said Jayanath R., deputy director, Coconut Development Board.
Kala, a coconut vendor at Jayanagar 4th block, lamented that the sales had come down due to the increased price. “The price jumped from ₹40 per piece to ₹50 this summer season and people have cut down on the number of coconuts they buy,” she said.
“While production has been affected, most farmers are supplying tender coconuts to the markets instead of sending mature coconuts as the demand is extensive for the former. In the upcoming days, it might get even more difficult to get mature coconuts. However, there is a price mismatch. The middlemen buy for ₹23 to ₹25 apiece from farmers and sell it for higher prices in markets,” explained Raghavendra B, a coconut farmer from Shravana Belagola in Hassan district.
However, despite the increase, consumers like Padmini from Jayanagar find it difficult to forgo coconuts from their diet. “Even though the prices have increased, I still have to buy coconut as it is a staple in our meals,” she remarked. “However, I purchase it in lesser quantity when the price goes up.”
Apart from cooking, coconuts are also used for religious rituals by many. “The price has drastically gone up to ₹45 while it should not be more than ₹30. Coconut is not only consumed but also used for religious purposes, and everyone should have access to it at a more reasonable rate,” said Madhavi Latha, who was buying coconuts in Madiwala.
