Tender coconut water is traditionally consumed during summer to cool you down. But this year, tender coconut has become dearer by Rs 5-10 per fruit in the city, crossing the Rs 40 mark in most places. But coconut farmers say the market prices are not supporting the cost of cultivation.
"Karnataka is among the top coconut-growing states in the country. North India is demanding a lot of our crop when compared to 20 years back. Now, you may find coconuts from Karnataka in remote places of the Himalayas too. The state's southern districts and the coastal belt have the most number of plantations, with the exception of places falling under the Western Ghats," said Rajendra Kumar Kataria, principal secretary, horticulture department.
Most street vendors selling tender coconut water in the city get their supply from Mysuru, Mandya or Chikkaballapur districts. "The coconut that comes to Bengaluru is of second-rate quality. The best ones are sent out of the state," said Siddaraju, a vendor in Sahakaranagar. He added that prices are on the rise in the city to keep up with the national average rates. "In cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, tender coconut water is sold for Rs 40-50. They are also demanding a lot of this product to make milkshakes, ice creams and other confectionery items," he said.
Ramnath, another vendor near MG Road, sells tender coconut for Rs 45 per piece and doesn't have a fixed supplier. "I tell my boys to go and fetch from certain suppliers we know. There is no wholesale market or farmer here we can go to for this," he said.
Farmers who spoke to TOI said the unorganised nature of this market may be the reason the prices fluctuate so frequently and there is no fixed rate.
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