Govt. delays for coconut imports to hit consumers
Sri Lanka’s coconut industry has repeatedly approached the authorities to import frozen coconut kernels for re-export but this has been continuously delayed ever since the new government took office. The coconut industry believes the government is positive and will put forward their proposals and import coconuts in future.
However the industry is aiming at trying to increase the dependency of the Sri Lankan consumer from fresh coconuts to purchase more processed packed coconuts now made increasingly available in the local market.
This is expected to then allow the coconut export manufacturers to be able to use the locally produced coconuts for export purposes.
At a media briefing held in Colombo the Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI) President Jayantha Samarakoon said that according to data released by the Coconut Research Institute (CRI) a 200 million nut shortage is expected from January to April this year. Sri Lanka has already experienced a reduction of over 700 million coconuts from 2021 to 2024.
Asked when the authorities hope to put forward the Cabinet paper in a bid to consider the import of frozen kernels, it was noted that this was likely to take place by around the second week of February.
Two Cabinet papers had previously been prepared in this respect and this third paper is being prepared by the Ministries of Industries, Plantation and Trade.
Mr. Samarakoon said that if the Cabinet paper gets delayed then the industry and the consumers will be compelled to buy even at a high price. It was pointed out that the farm gate price is likely to increase if the current situation continues from the existing Rs.150 to Rs.200 and the retail price will then increase to Rs.250 -300. This, Mr. Samarakoon said will then automatically lead to a drop in coconut consumption from three to two nuts.
The government is promoting the consumption of processed and packed coconut powder and coconut milk. The only concern is that the prices of these products are heavily taxed with a 35 per cent mark up by retailers and supermarkets and a further 18 per cent VAT. Such taxes do not apply for fresh coconuts in the market.
In the long run, Mr. Samarakoon noted they want the government to bring down the cost of fertiliser to Rs.4000 from the current Rs.9000 per 50 kg bag which the government has agreed to do so under the new budget.
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