Tender Coconut Prices Drop Sharply in Mandya Amid Reduced Demand

Mandya: Tender coconut prices in Mandya have seen a sharp decline this winter season, dropping from Rs 50 five months ago to Rs 25-30 per coconut. The region, known for supplying tender coconuts to markets across India, including major cities like New Delhi, Allahabad, Gujarat, and Hyderabad, has been affected by a significant decrease in demand, particularly in northern India.

The ongoing cold wave, which has led to temperatures as low as 14°C and highs of only 30°C, has reduced the consumption of tender coconut, a popular refreshment. As a result, demand from northern states, where tender coconut consumption is typically high, has dropped. This decline has directly impacted the volume of coconuts being shipped out of Mandya, reducing the number of daily truckloads from over 100 to just 40-50.

The price for quality coconuts in the Maddur APMC market has also fallen significantly, with large tender coconuts now priced between Rs 26,000-27,000 and mixed-size coconuts at Rs 24,000-25,000. Earlier, these prices were over Rs 40,000. Local traders, facing reduced demand, have shifted to selling coconuts directly from auto-rickshaws within Mandya city, pricing smaller coconuts at Rs 20 and larger ones between Rs 30-40.

This decline in prices benefits consumers, but coconut farmers are facing challenges. They argue that when prices fall, they receive lower compensation for their produce, while the real profits seem to go to intermediaries and traders. Mandya has 69,162 hectares dedicated to coconut cultivation, and with many farmers turning to coconut farming after losses in other crops, the area under coconut cultivation continues to grow each year. However, this growth doesn’t always translate to better income for the farmers.

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