Coconut prices near100 ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi as prodn falls

Panaji: The prices of coconuts, a staple in the Goan diet, have seen a major spike leading to concerns among locals ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi. A small-sized coconut which was priced at Rs 20 to Rs 25, is now selling at Rs 45, while a medium-sized nut which was selling at Rs 35 earlier is now available for Rs 60.

In some pockets, vendors even quote Rs 90 for a large-sized coconut.Agriculture experts said that premature plucking of tender coconuts is affecting the yield. Monkeys and other animals targeting horticultural produce and rising cost of fertilisers are some of the reasons blamed for the rising coconut prices.Agriculture director Sandeep Fol Dessai said that the supply of coconuts is already down during the monsoon season as it is difficult to harvest.

The other factors are only adding to the situation this season.“Also, many farmers are migrating to urban areas for better opportunities, leaving their fields unattended. This is an opportunity for the monkeys to come and destroy the crops,” Foldessai said.Foldessai said that coconut prices will stabilise after harvesting resumes as the monsoon recedes.Vendors said that rise in labour and transportation costs are also fuelling the spike.

Nitin Manjrekar, a grocery store owner at the city market, said, “It is all about the weight of the coconuts. A jumbo coconut is sold for Rs 90.”Even though the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd is set to import one lakh coconuts from Karnataka and promises to make them available at a subsidised price of Rs 44 a piece to bring relief to the consumers during Ganesh Chaturthi, the corporation’s procurement is still expected to fall far below the demand.Another vendor said, “Many coconuts are also being imported from Karnataka, and because of low supply of coconuts, the prices are so high. Everyone is obsessed with eating tender coconuts. No one knows when the prices are going to come down.”Former agriculture director Nevil Alphonso said the productivity of the coconuts is less this season. “The Benaulim coconut tree, a variety native to South Goa, has the potential to yield 70 – 80 coconuts per tree. The organic and chemical fertilisers are getting expensive, which is also a major factor for low coconut produce,” he said.Alphonso said that rise in the labour charges of coconut pluckers is also driving up the cost.