Coconut production in the country drops 10%

KOCHI: The prices of coconut and allied products may turn bullish as a survey conducted by the Coconut Development Board (CDB) indicated a drop in output in three major coconut growing states. Overall production in the country based on the estimation of production in major coconut growing states showed a 10% fall in 2014-15 over the previous year.

The CDB survey on production registered a decline in production in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka while the Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra recorded an increase. The four southern states together comprise around 90% of the coconut production in the country

In Kerala, the largest coconut grower in the country, production fell by 17.48% to 4886 million nuts because of inadequate rain, pest and diseases. Major drop in production was observed in Idukki, Kottayam and Kollam districts while Alappuzha showed a significant rise in output, according to an official statement of CDB.

The second biggest producer Tamil Nadu reported 3.9 % rise at 4850 million nuts with increase in crop in Tirupur, Tanjavur and Kanyakumari districts and a decline in Krishnagiri and Tirunelveli districts.

Karnataka recorded 4.87% fall in production at 4126 million nuts with major coconut growing regions of Tumkur, Hassan, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada facing a shortage. The highest reduction in yield was observed in Andhra Pradesh with state suffering from two cyclonic storms in the last two years. All the four major coconut growing areas of east and west Godavari , Srikakulam and Vizag registered a fall in production.