Summer heat & pest attack affect coconut yield, price doubles

HOUSEHOLDS and eateries across the state have started feeling the pinch as, along with other staple vegetables like onion and tomato, the price of coconut too has almost jumped two-fold in the last few months.

- M SARAVANAN @Coimbatore

The retail price of a coconut weighing around 500gm has crossed ₹50 in Chennai as the farm-gate price (procurement rate) of coconuts in Pollachi and Anaimalai has more than doubled in four months from ₹25 per kg in August to ₹57 per kg in December.

Traders say the price has hit an all-time high because of a drop in crop yield due to various factors.

Pollachi is the coconut hub of Tamil Nadu. From Pollachi, coconuts are sent to Kerala, and other major markets including Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai.

N Palanisamy, a wholesale dealer from Pollachi, said, "For transporting a truck load of 10 tonnes of coconut to Chennai, it costs around ₹35,000."