Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 8: With coconut prices rising amid increased festive demand, the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL) will procure and sell 55,000 coconuts to meet kitchen and puja requirements during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Of the total stock, around 20,000 coconuts have been sourced locally, while another 35,000 are being brought in from outside Goa. The outside consignment is expected to arrive in the state on Tuesday, with distribution scheduled to begin from around 1,200 horticulture outlets across Goa from Wednesday.

Agriculture director and GSHCL managing director Chandrahas Desai said the stock is expected to last for five to six days.

"Whatever the cost of procurement is, we will sell at the same price," Desai said.

GSHCL chairperson Premendra Shet had earlier said the corporation would follow a no-profit-no-loss policy while selling the subsidised coconuts.

Coconuts are currently retailing at Rs 45 to Rs 70 apiece, depending on size. Vendors have attributed the increase to seasonal demand during the ongoing Shravan month and the approaching Ganesh Chaturthi festival, when coconuts are widely used in food preparations and religious rituals.

At GSHCL outlets, the price is expected to be around Rs 35 to Rs 40 per coconut, depending on size. Desai said the final price for the incoming consignment would be fixed after the coconuts arrive on Tuesday and the actual procurement cost is determined.

If festive demand remains high or market prices continue to rise, GSHCL may procure additional stocks.

"Depending upon the demand, we will procure more coconuts to ensure that at least a portion of the market has access to them at a controlled, transparent price," Desai said.