PANAJI
In this soaring mercury, as many believe that tender coconut water is the best drink to beat the heat, this drink is costing you much more than it used to be. What is interesting is that with tender coconut water turning into luxury, especially for those health-conscious, the prices vary from village to urban and the coastal belt.
Renowned author Nandita Iyer's post on a social platform informing about paying Rs 90 for a small tender coconut has sparked a debate only to later defend the price as justified.
On the other hand, prices of regular coconuts in Goa have risen sharply since December, showing no signs of cooling -- forcing many housewives to skip the item from their daily diet while restaurants too have hiked dish prices marginally.
What began as a question "Are we being scammed at Rs 90 for a small tender coconut?" sparked a larger discussion on farming, climate change and the economics behind this refreshing sip.
In the now-viral social media post, Iyer claimed that coconut farming is on the decline, climate change is wrecking yields and mature coconuts are being diverted to the oil industry because it pays better.
“Transport and fuel costs are rising, and fewer people want to climb the trees because its skilled labour with poor pay and not enough takers. So yes, Rs 70 to Rs 90 for a tender coconut is valid reasons and not some coconut mafia increasing the prices,” she added as she also replied to one of her followers in her comment section.
On the ground, in Panaji and Taleigao, coconut vendors told The Goan that demands for tender coconuts doubled since March. Regular coconuts, on the other hand, are in short supply as farmers across the borders are pushing their produce early into the market to meet tender coconut demand. “We are getting daily truckloads of tender coconuts from Karnataka and other places,” a vendor in Taleigao Mohd Junaid said.
He revealed that each customer is even buying two or three at a time. “The suppliers have realized this and are pushing only tender coconuts. That’s why the regular ones are less in number compared to tender coconuts,” he added.
Another vendor around Panaji market conceded that harvesting coconuts before maturity has created a shortage of fully developed coconuts in the local market. “It’s a chain reaction. High demand, early harvesting and now we are struggling with both kinds,” he said, however stating that the tender coconut business has been fetching good income in the present scenario. This situation has however led to a rising price for regular coconuts, currently in shortage.
Several places across Goa have been selling tender coconut at Rs 60 approx with prices fluctuating in coastal areas and interiors. Across social media, others shared price updates from their areas with Rs 65 in parts of Konkan, Rs 80 in Pune, Rs 40 in Bengaluru, Rs 70 in parts of Mumbai, etc.
One of the X users, Chalapathi Rao blamed flawed rural employment schemes for the shortage of skilled climbers. “As a farmer, I know the struggles to find labour. Worst scheme by MNERGA disrupted and damaged/ crippled agriculture operations. Namesake its 3 hours to work. Paid Rs 300 for 15-30 minutes of work they do rest of time. Gossip till 3 hours are completed. No audit no control,” he posted.
