Rising Temperatures Push Tender Coconut Prices Up In Pune, Residents Feel The Pinch
Rising Temperatures Push Tender Coconut Prices Up In Pune, Residents Feel The Pinch ( Representaional Image )
Pune: The rise in temperature has led to a surge in the price of tender coconuts, with residents paying around ₹60-70 per piece due to high demand.
The demand for tender coconuts started increasing in mid-February and is expected to rise further in the coming weeks. In Pune, 80-90% of the coconuts arrive from Karnataka, with the city receiving around eight to nine truckloads daily, each carrying 6,000-7,000 coconuts, according to Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) officials.
The wholesale market price currently ranges from ₹25-40 per coconut, with higher-quality produce commanding even steeper prices.
Many residents are feeling the impact of the price hike, particularly those who consume coconut water regularly for health benefits. Some have attempted to buy directly from wholesale markets but have found that smaller coconuts with less water dominate the supply.
Market experts suggest that the diversion of coconut supply to larger markets like Mumbai due to rising demand could lead to shortages in Pune in the coming days. Traders at Market Yard, who handle large volumes of coconuts daily, have reported wholesale prices of around ₹52-53 per piece. However, good-quality coconuts in retail markets are being sold at ₹70-80 per piece due to high demand.
Online buyers have also observed a steady price increase, with coconuts that were available at ₹65 two weeks ago now costing as much as ₹72.
Wholesalers noted that prices were significantly lower during the same period last year, with wholesale rates around ₹28 per piece in February 2024. The supply is expected to decline by the end of March, which could further drive up prices in the coming weeks.
