The skyrocketing price of coconuts in Sri Lanka has created ripples across various facets of life, even curbing age-old traditions. Religious kovils, where devotees traditionally dash coconuts to ward off bad luck and evil curses, report a noticeable decline in this practice as people struggle to afford the now-costly fruit. The cultural impact of rising coconut prices highlights the far-reaching consequences of an ongoing crisis affecting both consumers and producers.
A Struggling Coconut Industry
Coconut estate owners have expressed frustration over the lack of support from successive governments. “As a coconut grower, we’ve received no meaningful help,” one estate owner lamented. “Permitting the importation of cheap and unhealthy palm oil has hurt us, alongside taxes on fertilizer and the absence of subsidies for the coconut industry.”
The challenges don’t end there. Rising labor costs and stringent labor laws have further compounded the problem, making coconut cultivation increasingly unviable. Many estate owners, unable to afford fertilizer, have been forced to cut back on plantation maintenance. “I haven’t fertilized my estate since Gota became president,” said one grower.
The Threat of Imports
With production costs in Sri Lanka far outpacing those in other coconut-producing nations, some warn that it may soon become cheaper to import coconuts. This would not only hurt local growers but also undermine a key agricultural sector integral to Sri Lanka’s economy and culture.
A Potential Solution
Industry insiders believe the solution lies in government intervention. “The price of coconuts could easily be brought down within a year if the government provided coconut growers with fertilizer at the same subsidized rate as paddy farmers,” one expert suggested. This measure could rejuvenate the struggling industry, reduce production costs, and stabilize prices, benefiting both growers and consumers.
The Way Forward
As the coconut industry grapples with rising costs and insufficient support, the consequences are felt not just economically but also culturally. The government faces mounting pressure to implement reforms that can revitalize coconut cultivation and ensure this vital crop remains accessible to all Sri Lankans. Without swift action, the price of coconuts—and the traditions tied to them—may continue to rise beyond reach.
