With the festival season around the corner with the rising price of coconut oil, it has become a problem for many households in the state. If the prevailing prices of Copra and Coconut are a hint, the average price of coconut oil will be anywhere between 500 and 600 GBP during the Onam Festival season.
In addition, the demand for coconut is expected to rule high until December at festivals in northern India and the pilgrim Sabarimala in Kerala.
In an interview with Hindu, an officer in the Coconut Development Council (CDB) said there was a great decrease in coconut production in the country to reduce the patronage of coconut cultivation and the unfavorable impact of climate change.
“In addition, the market occurred during the pandemic focus in 2020 and 2021, with the sale and consumption of coconut and coconut oil. However, as soon as the market reopened after the pandemic.
This was followed by a decline in coconut production in equatorial countries, including India, due to climate change and the unwillingness of farmers to take care of trees, reduce production and increase price for coconut oil and allied products, the officer said.
TALATH MAHAMOOD, President, Cochin Oil Merchant’s Association, said the increase in coconut oil prices opened a window for falsified coconut oil manufacturers to flood the market with false products. The alarming price increase has also disrupted the family budget of many. The retail price of coconut oil was 460 ₹ per liter on Thursday, which is almost 100% increase compared to 235 GBP during the first of January 2025.
Although cooking oils such as palm oil (120/850 gm) and sunflower oil (150/liter/liter) are available on the market, most Malayalis prefers coconut oil for home cooking.
Mr. Mahamood has mentioned as an immediate measure to protect this industry, the center should urgently intervene and disable the export of coconut, copry, coconut oil and related products, at least for a short time. Furthermore, restrictions on the import of coconut and copry from countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, due to the uncertain situation, should be limited.
Published – 17 July 2025 9:31 IS IS
