Sort out coconut shortage before Ramadan, please

THE Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) to overcome the coconut shortage issue. A recent market survey in Penang revealed that coconut and coconut milk traders are concerned about the reduced supply of coconuts, which has resulted in a sharp rise in prices.

Imported coconuts have seen a gradual price increase and now reach RM4 each, while the shortage of local coconuts has worsened. This price hike has also led to an increase in the cost of coconut milk, which is rising from RM16 per kg. Traders are predicting that the price of coconut milk will continue to increase, possibly reaching RM20 a kg by the beginning of Ramadan in March, as the coconut supply continues to dwindle.