Tender Coconut Production Crashes in Pollachi-Anaimalai Region
Farmers in Coimbatore district are facing a severe crisis. Tender coconut yield has plunged dramatically in the Pollachi and Anaimalai region. Production has dropped by a staggering 40% in just one month.
Export Markets Shrink by Half
The sharp decline in yield is hitting exports hard. Shipments have already been cut by 50%. Farmers report a drastic fall in daily export numbers.
"We were exporting six lakh tender coconuts every day during November and December last year," said one distressed farmer. "Now, we are down to just three lakh per day. The situation looks grim. Exports could shrink further to two lakh per day by February and March."
Climate Woes and Early Harvest Blamed
Farmers and agricultural leaders point to multiple factors for this collapse.
- Excessive Monsoon Rainfall: Heavy rains from late April until late July damaged crops.
- Early Harvest Season: The typical yield season from October to January shifted early to September-December.
- Extreme Winter: Harsh cold weather further stressed the plants.
A E Srinivasan, President of the Anaimalai Tender Coconut Growers Association, confirmed the troubling shift. "The red tender coconut variety is the one most badly affected," he stated. "We expect the yield to decline even more in the coming months."
Record High Prices Loom This Summer
The supply crunch is pushing prices upward. Wholesale prices are already rising in local markets.
"Last year, the wholesale price touched Rs 47 per count," Srinivasan noted. "This year, we are likely to see a record high price."
Current prices stand at about Rs 29 per count or Rs 12,000 per tonne. However, in key markets like Sathyamangalam, Thalavadi, and Mathur, supply has dropped significantly. Coconuts are already selling for more than Rs 30 per count there.
Regional Disparity in Yield
The crisis is not uniform across the district. Farmer K Sothimani from Anaimalai explained the geographical split.
"Areas from Pollachi and Anaimalai up to Udumalpet saw better yields," he said. "But the northern parts of Coimbatore district, towards Mettupalayam, have suffered poor production."
He reiterated that the primary culprit is the excessive monsoon rainfall that battered the region for months.
Mature Coconuts Remain Stable
Interestingly, the climate conditions have not severely impacted the yield of mature coconuts. Their market remains relatively stable.
Currently, mature coconuts are priced at around Rs 55 per kilogram. Last year, they reached a high of Rs 75 per kilo. This contrast highlights the specific vulnerability of the tender coconut crop to this year's unusual weather patterns.
The coming summer months will test the market further as supplies dwindle and demand potentially rises, setting the stage for unprecedented prices.
