Hard at work: Amba Coconut Trading workers Hard (right), 28, and P. Palani, 29, arranging the coconuts to be sold.

GEORGE TOWN: The price of coconuts is expected to soar as high as RM2 during Thaipusam on Jan 27 as devotees and visitors take advantage of the long holiday break to visit the island during that weekend.

As Prophet Muhammad's birthday falls on Thursday, Jan 24, devotees from outside the state are likely to take Friday off to spend four days here in Penang.

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) officer-in-charge of education N.V. Subarow said wholesalers and retailers would definitely charge more for the coconuts although they had yet to confirm by how much.

Subarow, who has been monitoring the demand and supply for coconuts here since last week, said wholesalers and retailers were anticipating a spike in demand, with large groups of devotees and tourists expected to arrive during that weekend.

“Although it is still early and orders have yet to come in, a price increase is definite because of the anticipated demand.

“From what I hear, one coconut could cost up to RM2,” he said.

S. Alagendran, 19, of Amba Coconut Trading Sdn Bhd, has received orders for some 100,000 coconuts since December.

“There is ample supply but I am expecting more orders,” he said, adding that his coconuts were currently selling at RM1.20 each.

Alagendran sold some 140,000 coconuts for Thaipusam last year.

Thum Enterprise owner S. Andrew, 47, who sells coconuts at RM1.50 each, said the demand was not very encouraging so far.

“Usually around this time, customers would be looking around for the best deals, so that by next week they can start placing their orders,” said Andrew, who sold some 40,000 coconuts for Thaipusam last year.

Andrew, who owns a coconut estate in Sabak Bernam, said supply was more than sufficient but labour was a problem.

“Wholesalers and retailers mark up their prices during Thaipusam because of the sudden spike in demand and we have to hire more part-time workers,” he said, adding that an estate worker could harvest at least 2,000 coconuts daily.

Subarow called on devotees not to waste money and break too many coconuts.

“Even breaking one coconut is enough if it is a sincere offering.

“Nowadays, it's not just the Indians but other races and even tourists who join in to break coconuts during Thaipusam. However, they must realise that this practice is not done purely for fun,” he added.

He also advised devotees who wanted to make a more meaningful offering to donate to orphanages or the underprivileged.

• Japan stocks crash on volatile bonds, weak China data; Nikkei ends down 7.3%
• MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead
• KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
• Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b
• Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
• Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
• KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
• ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
• China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears
• RHB Research maintains Buy on KPJ Healthcare, FV RM7.30
• Alliance Neutral on Axiata, ups target price to RM7
• Deleum top loser, down 11.3% after disappointing results
• Maybank KE Research maintains Hold on AirAsia
• Public Invest Research ups Uzma target price to RM2.86
• Malaysia's blue chips fall more than 6pts in early trade

• Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains
• Short-story writer Davis wins Booker International Prize
• Two babies among US tornado victims
• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)

• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement
• Harrison makes swift U-turn

• Please wait.

• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
• What comes after WYY?
• All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
• Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar detained (Update)
• Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
• Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
• Petronas Chemicals Group to invest RM3bil in capital expenditure
• Colleges challenge new conditions set by registrar
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers