Tender coconut price gets heftier in Bengaluru, but size shrinks

Bengaluru: The prices of tender coconuts in Bengaluru have got unusually higher. While demand typically surges during summer when price rise is expected, vendors and consumers are expressing concern over the current situation.
Tender coconuts are now priced at Rs 60-70 a piece, straining customers' finances.
Rajeshappa Karigowda, a vendor at Gandhi Bazaar, noted, "Usually, during rainy season, tender coconuts are sold for Rs 30 to Rs 40 a piece.However, this year, prices have soared even during rainy season, surpassing those in summer." He added that the exorbitant prices have led to a reduction in customer visits to his stall, affecting his sales. "I hope the prices come down soon," he said.
Another vendor, Ranganna in Basavanagudi, explained that the demand for tender coconut water usually decreases in colder weather, leading to lower prices. However, due to rising health concerns, including dengue and dehydration, more people are opting to consume it throughout the year. "This increased demand, coupled with a decrease in supply, has driven up the costs," he said, adding: "Prices have climbed from Rs 20-25 in June to Rs 30-60 now, especially with the upcoming festivals of Ganesha Chaturthi, Dasara, and Deepavali driving consumer interest."
However, consumers voiced their concerns over the shrinking size of tender coconuts in recent years. Paramesh Rao, a resident of Basavanagudi, remarked, "A few years ago, tender coconuts were of good size, but now they are almost the size of a small pineapple."
Yamuna Vittal, another Basavanagudi resident, echoed his sentiments, adding, "The water is not sweet too. We are left wondering what are we paying so much money for."
Traditionally, Bengaluru gets its tender coconuts from regions like Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan, and Tumkuru districts, but drought conditions and declining groundwater levels have led to dried-up borewells in these areas, significantly impacting the supply of tender coconut water, said a wholesale coconut trader.