INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries has urged the government for permission to import 200 million coconuts with the next few
months.President of the Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries Jayantha Samarakoon said that the major reason for the current coconut shortage
is the spike in fertilizer prices.Speaking at a media briefing held at the National Chamber of Commerce Auditorium yesterday (21), he
mentioned that the coconut imports are essential at this time to counter a severe shortage that threatens both domestic supply and export
revenue.Samarakoon attributed the coconut shortfall to skyrocketing fertilizer prices, which have discouraged growers from adequately
He warned that if coconut stocks needed for the coconut-based export industry are not imported immediately, Sri Lanka could lose
150 million are consumed domestically while 100 million are utilized by the industrial sector
The Coconut Research Institute has forecast a further decline this year, with production estimated to fall to between 2.4 and 2.6 billion
The institute also predicts a shortfall of 200 million coconuts between January and April 2025, exacerbating the crisis.In response, the
Chamber has proposed importing alternative coconut products such as coconut milk, coconut kernel, dried coconut kernel, or peeled coconuts
Chamber has requested that the government provide fertilizer at a subsidized price of Rs
4,000 per bag and expressed optimism that the upcoming budget will address this issue.The Chamber also urged the government to introduce
