Sharp rise in prices of coconut has raised concern among the consumers. On Thursday, one kg of coconut was priced at ₹55 in the wholesale market and ₹62 in the retail market in Tiruchi. It was sold at ₹48 per kg last week in the wholesale market.
Traditionally, the cost of coconut was determined by its size. The traditional practice has been shelved and the traders now determine the coconut based on the weight. Coconuts were available for ₹5 and ₹15 a piece about a year ago. The price never breached ₹15. In contrast, the minimum price of a coconut, weighing about 500 gm is ₹30. A large coconut, which was sold at ₹15 about a year ago, now costs ₹60 to ₹65 in the market now.
According to industry sources, there has been supply of coconuts to the Gandhi Market in Tiruchi had not been steady. On an average, the market received about 30 tonnes of coconut daily from places such as Cumbum, Theni, Dindigul, Pollachi, Coimbatore, Udumalaipettai, Peravurani, Pattukottai, and Gandarvakottai. However, there has been a sharp decline in the arrivals causing supply crunch. This pushed up the price of coconut by ₹7 a kg within a week.
While the short supply had pushed up the prices, the traders blame it on large-scale supply of coconut to Mumbai and exports. “There is a heavy demand for coconut in Mumbai. Since it gets attractive prices, the wholesale dealers want to cash in on that,” says G. Jagadesan, a wholesale coconut trader in Gandhi Market.
Traders admit that though the prices had been steadily rising over the years, the prices reached an unprecedented level since the switch to determining the cost coconut based on weight rather than its size.
“The price rise has been unprecedented in recent months. A good quality coconut cannot be bought for less than ₹60 now,” another trader said.
“Coconut is a stable ingredient in cooking. The price rise is a matter of great concern,” says N. Maheswari, a resident of Bheema Nagar.
Published – May 22, 2025 08:35 pm IST
