Daijiworld Media Network – Padubidri

Padubidri, Jun 1: The war-like situation in West Asian countries has led to a sudden decline in export business between India and those nations, directly impacting the local market. Consequently, the demand for coconut, one of the major commercial crops in the coastal region, is plummeting, leading to a sharp drop in its price.

Although coconut production increased over the past year, the severe drop in demand has left growers anxious. Previously, coconut products enjoyed strong demand abroad. However, uncertainty in the global market and a slowdown in exports have caused the market to crash. As a result, the volume of local purchases has also decreased, directly causing coconut prices to fall.

Coconuts are grown extensively in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, especially in the coastal belt. The growers here rely entirely on the market for fresh coconuts. Since the harvesting of coconuts peaks during March-April, August-September, and December-January, a large quantity of coconuts arrives in the market. This increased supply puts further downward pressure on prices.

Heaps in front of houses 

With the severe drop in coconut prices over the last few months, farmers in rural areas are increasingly hoarding the coconuts at home rather than selling them, hoping for a price hike. It is now common to see massive piles of unhusked coconuts stored in front of houses, cattle sheds, and godowns.

With the monsoon fast approaching, the anxiety of the growers has heightened. It is difficult to store coconuts for extended periods under such conditions. The chances of the coconuts sprouting or rotting are high, leading to a situation where the farmers might lose their hard-earned produce entirely. Thus, they are caught in the inevitable situation of having to dispose of them somehow.

Meanwhile, the cost of chemical fertilizers, labour wages, and irrigation expenses required to maintain coconut farms are increasing day by day. In such a situation, the inability to get an adequate price for their produce has turned coconut farming—once a reliable source of income—into a cause of deep concern for farmers.

Coconuts across 16,000 hectares 

Coconuts are cultivated across approximately 16,303 hectares in Udupi district alone. Around 98,000 farmers depend on coconut farming. "The Iran-America tensions have directly impacted the coconut market. Due to this, the lack of demand for coconuts and coconut products has almost completely halted exports. This has led to a drop in coconut prices," stated horticulture department joint director Kshama Patil.

Coconuts, which once brought lucrative returns, are now becoming a burden for farmers. Having received a good price last year, farmers had expected a good income this season as well. But now, they are getting a much lower price per quintal compared to previous years, creating a situation where farmers are left with zero profit after deducting transportation and labour costs. Selling at this price will not even recover their basic expenses, expressed coconut grower Pranesh Hejamadi with concern.