Tender coconut prices soar in Chikkamagaluru ahead of summer

The cost of tender coconuts has surged in Chikkamagaluru, catching both sellers and buyers off guard. Typically, price hikes are seen during the summer months due to higher demand, but this year, prices have risen well before the expected heatwaves. The price of a single tender coconut has now reached Rs 50-60, a sharp increase from previous rates.

In the Kadur region, known for its distinctive tender coconuts, demand remains strong. These coconuts are not just sold locally but are also transported to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Nashik, with around 12-15 truckloads sent out every week. Local traders in Kadur buy coconuts directly from farmers for Rs 20-30 each. The traders then handle the costs of extraction and transportation. For farmers, it is more profitable to sell tender coconuts, as the sales cycle is quicker, usually around 45 days, unlike coconuts, which take longer to yield returns.

Shivanna, a tender coconut vendor in Koppa, noted that coconuts that typically sold for Rs 40 during winter are now priced much higher. This unexpected increase in prices, which exceeds even the usual summer surge, has led to fewer customers at his stall, affecting his sales. He hopes that prices will eventually fall.

The rise in coconut prices can be attributed to a reduced yield last year due to drought and disease. As a result, tender coconut prices have been climbing steadily over the past two months.

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