Tender coconuts dearer

By T. Lalith Singh

HYDERABAD, MARCH 7. As the summer heat starts soaring slowly, tender coconuts begin to turn dearer. The growing demand has made vendors increase the prices by two to three rupees for coconut water.

On account of the bumper harvest this season, there is absolutely no shortage of the coconut, yet the prices have increased because of middlemen and vendors, Horticulture Department officials said.

The coconut crop is grown on nearly one lakh hectares with half of it being located in the two coastal districts of East and West Godavari. It is also grown in Khammam and Chittoor districts though on a lower scale.

Last year, the total coconut produce from the State, which ranks fourth in the country after Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, was put at 1,052 million nuts. `Except during the 1996 cyclone, which saw a setback, the coconut yield has been comfortable for the last few years,' said Mr. D. Vittal, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department.

For the farmers, a tender coconut fetches Rs.1.50 to Rs.2. The ideal market price should be around Rs.5 when one includes transport and other charges, he said.

However, vendors argue that the rates at which the coconut is supplied to them have been varying in the recent times thus forcing them to increase the prices accordingly. `It all depends on what price the agent supplies the coconut to us. If the average nut cost rises above Rs.4, how do you expect us to maintain the price?', asked a vendor making brisk sales at Chirag Ali Lane.

At least, 20 per cent of the total produce is consumed for coconut water with the rest being used for the purposes of worship, food and oil. The coconut is also exported from here to several other States, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal, and the demand goes up during the festival season.

`The demand was really high during the recent Kumbh Mela with 50 per cent of the crop from Srikakulam and East Godavari having been sent for the mela,' Mr. Vittal said.

Vendors insist that with increased demand for coconut in the summer prices are bound to rise. But, with the December and January harvest expected in the market soon, prices will hold, officials say.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Gastroenteritis: one dies, 39 more taken ill
Next     : AP tops in direct tax revenue earnings