Floods lead to coconut quotas in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: An acute shortage of coconuts, caused by the floods that hit many parts of the country, has led a wholesaler in Rangoon Road to set a quota on the number each customer can buy.

Anba Coconut Trading Sdn Bhd owner P. Sarasvathy, 56, said she set the quota last month to cope with the expected coconut shortage for the upcoming Thaipusam celebration.

“Some of my customers have asked for 100 coconuts, but I can only give them 50. However small the amount, I still have to supply them with the coconuts as they have to conduct their businesses.

“I used to have a lorry delivering up to 12,000 coconuts at one time. But, this had been reduced to between 2,300 and 5,000 per delivery,” she told a press conference at her shop yesterday.

Sarasvathy attributed the shortage to the floods which have affected supplies.

“More than 150,000 coconuts were brought in from Kuala Bernam, Perak, last year. But this year, I only managed to get 30,000,” she added.

She said the situation had become so bad that coconuts were being harvested every 25 days instead of the normal 50 to cope with demand .

She believes that the coconut stocks will only fully recover in April or May.

Sarasvathy said she did not sell Indonesian coconuts.

“The shells are too hard and unsuitable for breaking during Thaipusam.

“Even for santan (coconut milk), the Indonesian coconuts are not as tasty,” she said.

Sarasvathy said her wholesale price of RM1.60 per coconut was determined by her contract with the estates.

“My profits are more than enough, so I do not wish to increase the price.

“I am even willing to lower the price if I have enough supply,” she said.

Consumers’ Association of Penang education officer N.V. Subarrow, who was at the press conference, asked the Government to import a higher number of coconuts in view of the demand during Thaipusam.

“The price of a coconut is expected to increase from RM2 to RM2.30 by Feb 3.

“Those planning to break coconuts for Thaipusam are encouraged to reduce the number and spend their money on charity instead,” he added.

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