THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Coconut production in Kerala has collapsed as the prices of coconut and coconut oil soar. There are concerns that the price of coconut oil may cross Rs 500 per kg during the Onam season.

Kerafed is looking for import opportunities following the worsening copra shortage. This requires approval from the central and state governments.

One kg of coconut oil was priced at Rs 180 and coconut at Rs 32 in July last year. The price of coconut oil is at Rs 430-470 and Rs 78-85 for coconut at present.

In September 2024, the central government increased the import duty on edible oils from 20 to 32 percent to control the import of palm oil, sunflower and soybean oils, which led to a rise in their prices. Subsequently, the sale of coconut oil increased and its price increased. The decline in the arrival of coconuts from Tamil Nadu due to climate change and diseases also took its toll. Although a crore-dollar project is being implemented for coconut cultivation in Kerala, the results are not visible.

Coconut groves are gone

Coconut trees are being destroyed by attacks by coconut rhinoceros beetle and red palm weevil, and diseases like Bud rot and Root wilt. Production has decreased by up to 20 percent due to climate change.

Coconut oil adulteration

• Coconut oil, which is made by collecting second-class copra and adding chemicals, is sold at a low price. Coconut oil that is mixed with paraffin oil are also available in the market
• Coconut oil is produced again from copra cake and sold after mixing with good coconut oil. Oil refined by adding chemicals is not edible.
• Mineral oil, sunflower oil, and cottonseed oil are also mixed with coconut oil.

More cultivation in Kerala but higher yield in other states

1. Kerala

Coconut cultivation - 7,65,840 hectares

Annual production - 5,522.71 million

Productivity 7,211/ hectare

2. Tamil Nadu

Coconut cultivation - 4,92,610 hectares

Production - 6,091.98 million

Productivity - 12,367/ hectare

3. Andhra Pradesh

Coconut cultivation - 1,07,370 hectares

Production - 1,707.08 million

Productivity -15,899/ hectare

4. Odisha

Coconut cultivation - 54,950 hectares

Production -399.43 million

Productivity -7,269/ hectare

Kerala's productivity declines

Year ----------------Productivity/ hectare

2017 -18 ----------------- 10,472

2018-19 ------------------- 10,097

2019-20 -------------------- 9,175

2020 -21 -------------------9,030

2021 -22 ------------------- 7,215

2022 -23 -------------------7,402

2023 -24 ---------------------7,211