Coconut prices in the domestic market have doubled in the last few months. Still, entrepreneurs are rushing to register with the Coconut Development Board (CDB) as exporters. This is in the backdrop of a huge shortfall in coconut production from neighbouring Sri Lanka, which traditionally has surplus to meet demand from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Gulf region.

This year, India has emerged the sole source for coconuts in the vicinity. That has led to the volume of coconut and coconut product exports booming. Coconut and coconut product exports are expected to grow by over 30 per cent this year. Reinforcing this possibility, the number of new registration for exports with the CDB has almost doubled to 20-25 a month in the recent past. Earlier, 10-15 registration requests were received .

Urbanisation is narrowing areas under coconut and a recent typhoon hasfurther set back coconut production in the Philippines, the biggest producer accounting for over 35 per cent of the global production. In the immediate neighbourhood, Coconut production in Sri Lanka has plunged sharply, opening lucrative opportunities for exports from India, Mr Thomas Mathew, Chief Coconut Development Officer, CDB, said.

There has been a spurt in demand from the Gulf countries for all varieties. Besides exports of copra to Bangladesh, where export of coconut oil from India commands higher customs duties, have increased. There has been a marked growth in Indian coconut exports to Pakistan as well in the recent past. Sri Lanka, which used to be biggest exporter in South Asia, has turned a net importer from India this year.

While demand from overseas has spurted this year, the domestic production has not been as robust. Production from Kerala, the biggest producer in the country is expected to be a shade lower than last year. But this could be partly made up by a better crop from Tamil Nadu where the peak harvest season is on, Mr Thomas Mathew said. Production from States such as Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are expected at around last year's levels.

The shortage in the global markets and not-so-alluring production trends within the country has resulted in a sharp run up in domestic prices.

With tender coconut commanding the status of a healthy natural drink, the demand has soared. As the mercury has started climbing rapidly over several north Indian cities, the demand for this healthy drink has just got better. City demand for tender coconuts is being increasingly met from the coastal States such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa and Gujarat also.

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