TNAU forecast : No sharp increases in the price of coconut and copra

Coimbatore: The Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, developed market advisory for coconut and copra under the TN-IAM Project.

Globally, the top coconut farming countries are Indonesia, the Philippines, and India, which account for 75% of worldwide coconut output. Coconut is mostly farmed in Kerala (7.65 lakh ha), Tamil Nadu (4.46 lakh ha), Karnataka (6.28 lakh ha), and Andhra Pradesh (1.05 lakh ha), which account for 91% of total production in the country during 2022-23.

Tamil Nadu produced 35.12 lakh tonnes of coconuts from 4.46 lakh hectares in 2022-23. Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Dindigul, and Kanyakumari are the major coconut-growing districts. According to a trade source, arrivals to Kangayam market are from Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Pollachi, Palladam, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Kangayam, and Theni. Market arrivals from Karnataka and Kerala began in June 2023 and will continue until September 2023.

The quick decrease in the copra price was caused by a boom in imports of vegetable oil, particularly palm oil, during the first half of the oil year (November'22 - April'23), as well as a low tax on imported refined and crude edible oil. Traders have also claimed that the quality of copra has decreased as a result of inconsistency and excess rainfall throughout the processing season. The price of milling copra is determined by the supply and demand for coconut oil. However, the price of coconut oil, like that of other local edible oils, is influenced by cheaper imported vegetable oil.

The price forecasting team analysed the past 15 years' pricing for coconut and copra at Erode district Avalpoondurai Regulated Market and Perundurai Cooperative Marketing Society. According to the findings of the analysis, the farm gate price of good quality coconut in October 2023 will be Rs. 10-12 per nut. The price of good quality copra will be around Rs. 75-80 per kilogramme. The pricing is subject to fluctuation dependent on arrivals from other states. As a result, producers are encouraged to make sales decisions accordingly.

(i) Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell

Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS)

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore - 641 003.

Phone: 0422-2431405

(ii)Director and TN-IAMP Nodal Officer

Centre for Water and Geospatial Studies

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore - 641 003.

Phone: 0422-6611278

Professor and Head

Department of Spices & Plantation Crops

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore -641003.

Phone -0422 -6611284