Coconut Retailers in Kerala Hit by Rising Price

Kochi

Due to shortage in Coconut production the price of the coconut and coconut oil is increasing. Due to low production in the produce and price rise in every city have hit the middle class family as it is the essential ingredient in most recipes here.

The price of a large, un-husked coconut has now increased to Rs 20-22, in major producing centre while this is Rs 35 in the High Range districts like Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. Even smaller coconuts are having a price tag of Rs 20-22 in retail trading in these districts.Although Kerala is now in the midst of coconut season, production is rather low this time due to various reasons.

The wage for climbing trees has increased to Rs 40 each tree. According to KV Paul, a farmer in Ernakulam district, labour shortage is a severe problem and at least 20 per cent of the production is being lost due to this.

Even in Tamil Nadu, the largest producing state in India, production was rather low. Coconut oil price at the wholesale level almost doubled during this month. It was at Rs 7,000 per quintal in January 2013. On Tuesday, the Cochin Oil Merchants Association quoted Rs 12,500 a quintal, while it was at Rs 11,450 last month. The sharp rise in the price of coconut oil has fuelled the price of palm oil, also used in cooking. Retail price of palm oil has now increased to Rs 80 a kg, from Rs 65 a month ago.

Src- http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/retailers-in-kerala-hit-hard-by-rising-coconut-prices-114031100392_1.html

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