Move to import unhusked coconuts as prices soar
The Plantations Ministry is studying the possibility of importing unhusked coconuts as a standby measure to tide over a shortage that has sent coconut prices soaring in the market, and thereby, adding to the cost of living.
On Wednesday, a five- member committee appointed by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management will discuss the necessary quarantine procedures when importing unhusked coco- nuts and the legal impediments.
The committee comprises secretaries to the Plantation and Agricultural Ministries, the Quarantine Director General and officials of the Coconut Research Institute.
Plantations Ministry Secretary J.A.Ranjith said they would examine methods followed by other countries in importing coconuts. "Australia will be a good example to study," he said.
The Government recently permitted the import of coconut kernel as the import of unhusked coconuts is prohibited under the Plant Protection Act.
The Secretary said traders would be allowed to import the kernel in its frozen form strictly for the industries that export desiccated coconut and allied products.The move was aimed at checking the rising coconut prices, which this week reached Rs. 110.
Some eleven companies have sought permission from the Coconut Development Authority to import kernel from countries including the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, and their papers are being processed, the secretary said.
He said there was no ceiling on the quantity, but importers should strictly follow quarantine and customs regulations.
An earlier plan, in July, to import unhusked coconuts from Indonesia and the Phillipines was abandoned after coconut cultivators warned that importing the whole nut could bring in parasite infestation to the country's coconut plantations.
Mr. Ranjith expressed the hope that the local prices would come down in the next few months. "Coconut cultivation is growing and we should have enough by April-May," he said.
The Secretary said that with the market stabilising the traders could buy the kernel from the local market as imported kernel would be more expensive.