Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 26: From the last over two weeks, coconut price has been on the rise in coastal Karnataka. The main reason for the price hike is reduced local supply. While coconut harvest in the coast has been markedly less now, in places like Tumakuru, Tiptur and Chamarajanagar etc where coconuts are grown, the crops are affected by diseases. As such, supply of coconuts from there to coastal Karnataka has come down. As coconuts are in high demand for extracting oil, offering in temples, and for tender coconuts at this time of auspicious occasions and temple festivals, demand has outdone the supply as a result of which coconut is commanding high prices.

Till a few days back, local coconuts were bought by the traders at Rs 40 a kg and selling at Rs 45. Now they buy at Rs 50 and sell at Rs 55 a kg. Coconuts coming from districts in the plains is sold at five rupees less per kg. In Udupi district too, one kg of coconut costs Rs 50.

Rural areas in coastal districts, which had abundance of coconuts in the past, are facing the heat now. People are using less of coconut when cooking. Increasing use of coconut oil has also been putting pressure on the price. Selling tender coconuts which are in good demand, and destruction of crops by monkeys have also cast adverse effect on the price of coconut.