Sri Lanka plans to import coconuts after research study
Sri Lankan authorities are working with the coconut manufacturers on the possibility of importing whole coconuts and coconut milk for the export industry aimed at reducing the burden on the existing shortage in the Sri Lankan market.
Ceylon Desiccated Coconut Manufacturers Association Secretary Jason Samaranayake told The Sunday Times Business that they are currently working with the Coconut Research Institute (CRI) on the importation of coconuts.
Since the import of coconuts itself is more viable due to the lower prices compared to the import of coconut kernels the industry is discussing with the CRI on the measures needed to be taken in relation to the quarantine of the coconuts, Mr. Samaranayake said.
He also pointed out that in this respect authorities were looking at carrying out a test run to ascertain how the quarantine could be carried out. With the requirement for the import of coconuts authorities will need to bring in amendments to the existing laws as well.
As a result of these processes involved the exporters have requested the government to import coconut milk to be re-packed and exported to meet the existing global demand so as to ensure the Sri Lankan exporters do not lose their market share.
Mr. Samaranayake pointed out that this measure is the fastest solution of ensuring their exports will continue.
He noted that they will be looking at ensuring the farmers are able to earn a fair farm gate price and these measures to change legislation accordingly will be required for the lean season. This will help to meet the gap of the 1.5 billion nuts not available through the domestic production.
Of the 3 billion nuts produced in Sri Lankan 70 per cent is consumed by the Sri Lankan consumer and only 30 per cent is available for the export market.
CRI Acting Director Dr. Nayani Aachchige told The Sunday Times Business that they will be starting research on the possibility of importing whole coconut but for the present they will be looking at only importing frozen coconut kernel and dehydrated coconut chips. She said officials at the CRI are currently engaged in conducting literature review and studying methods of destroying the embryo within the coconut in a bid to import whole coconuts.
It was pointed out that at present it is not possible to import whole coconuts since there is a concern that during importation if sprouting takes place it can have adverse impacts leading to the spread of diseases.
As a result authorities will commence research work that will take at least seven months to ascertain if they can kill the embryo when whole coconuts need to be imported to
Sri Lanka.
Coconut Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Shantha Ranatunga speaking with The Sunday Times Business said that currently the middleman is retaining an “abnormal profit” as a result of which prices in the local market have skyrocketed to surpass Rs.200 per nut.
He noted that they are currently trying to ensure the farm gate price could be retained at around Rs.110 to sustain the grower.
Mr. Ranatunga said they want to ensure that they have a control over the co-operative societies to ensure they can maintain a limit on the prices.
Weekly the CDA believes about 250,000 nuts could be delivered at a maximum price of Rs.130 with smaller nuts to be sold at Rs.110.
It was pointed out that the government plans to increase the nut harvest by 1.5 billion to reach 4.5 billion nuts by 2030 to ensure the export market could make purchases from the locally produced crop.
With only less than 2 per cent of the total harvest in the country being sent to the auction in Colombo and as a result of the surge in prices authorities are making plans to import coconut kernel and coconut milk for the export market in a bid to control prices, Mr. Ranatunga said.
In the meantime, authorities have commenced a campaign to create awareness among the Sri Lankan public to purchase packeted cream coconut, coconut milk, coconut milk powder so as to save on the domestic wastage, he said.
Coconut Products Manufacturers and Exporters Association Chairman Ranil Seneviratne said that currently the coconut milk and coconut milk powder is being used in hotels and this should increasingly be made popular in homes in a bid to ensure the export market is able to have access to more stocks of locally produced coconuts.
With 30 per cent of the nuts being made available to the export industry the revenue generated is US$800 million (per annum), he said.
In this respect there should be a greater focus to ensure the Sri Lankan public is convinced that the purchasing of whole coconuts will contribute to a waste of the product since manufacturers use even the shell.
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