Price no bar for fans of Pollachi ‘elaneer’

The expensive Pollachi variety of tender coconuts is regarded as the favourite, with the natural drink becoming increasingly preferred by the people this summer. Though the price of a tender coconut ranges from Rs 35 to Rs 50, the demand continues to peak even as the effect of a harsh summer shows no signs of receding. As per the Coconut Development Board, Kochi, the production of coconuts (in million units) was 6,917.46 in 2014-15 and dropped to 6,171.06 in the subsequent FY 2015-16. 

Wholesaler Selvam, who operates out of Triplicane, says this year, the demand has been going up. Compared to last year’s figure of 5,000 nuts being sold daily,  the sales have breached the 8,000 mark in the city. “We are happy people choose tender coconut over aerated drinks. But the supply has not met the demand as we receive only 30 loads per day compared to 40 to 50 loads per day last year,” he says, noting that in his two-decade long stint, the number of players choosing to sell tender coconuts has risen. There are at least 25 wholesalers in the metro as the roaring business has opened up the market. 

Tender coconuts sourced from Puducherry and Cuddalore (Rs 26 to Rs 28 per nut) do not have as many takers as those seeking the Pollachi variety, he says. This is validated by A Solaiappan, an agri-scientist, who says the production of coconuts has fallen by 15 per cent compared to last year though the demand continues to surge. 

The retired official of the TN Cooperative Sugar Federation says farmers today are keen on using natural inputs for production. “It is water-intensive but tender coconuts do not need large quantities. However, they do need frequent irrigation as the root arrangement is always in search of water. Drip or modified irrigation practices have brought in good results,” notes the scientist. 

Interestingly, the growers get prices ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 15 per nut and it is the logistics that has boosted the price of the tender coconut. “In cities, people are willing to pay Rs 50 for a Pollachi variant whereas in other rural locations, the price is between Rs 25 and Rs 35 for the same variety,” Solaiappan says, adding TN lags behind Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in production (parts of the neighbouring state only cultivate tender coconut) as the Eriophyid mite is prevalent in most coconut growing regions of South India.