Fresh crisis: Dharshen Ravee unloading coconuts. Supply has declined during the rainy season, he said. (Right) Mariani selling coconut milk at Ipoh Central Market. — RONNIE CHIN/ANNABELLE LAWRENCE/The Star
IPOH: Coconut traders here are facing a supply shortage, which could have consequences for the upcoming festivities.
Those who spoke to The Star said supply has been running low since Deepavali at the end of October, with the shortages causing the price of one fruit to go up by 60sen.
K. Krishnaveni, 50, who has been a coconut wholesaler for 25 years, said she could previously get a monthly supply of between 40,000 and 50,000 coconuts but could only get about 10% of the usual amount now.
“Our supplier from Bagan Datuk told us that there is limited supply available.
“We are unsure of the reasons for the low production this time.
“Many wholesalers have approached us for supplies because they are also running low but we are unable to meet their needs due to the shortage,” she said.
Krishnaveni, who also runs a stall at the Ipoh Central Market, is now prioritising pre-orders for coconut milk due to limited stock.
“I can’t make as many fresh sales as I used to. I can now only fulfil orders from customers who book in advance, not those who walk in.
“Hence, my sales have dropped over 70% this time,” she said.
“I also hope that there will be no more price increases and that there will be a standard price for it,” she added.
Another wholesaler, Jacob Muthaiah David, 63, said some suppliers have told him that the lower production is due to constant rainfall.
“We’ve faced shortages before but it’s quite bad this time.
“Our sales have dropped by about 60% and my customers complain when I run out of coconuts,” he said.
The limited supply has caused Zurina Ahmad, 50, who works at her brother’s coconut milk stall at the Ipoh Central Market, to shorten their business hours.
“We used to start operating from 3am until 11.30am but now we close an hour earlier after selling everything.
“We are now prioritising customers who place their orders first. We can only sell to walk-in customers if there are any remaining items,” she said.
Mariani Harun, 48, reported that the price of coconuts varies based on their size, ranging from RM1.90 to RM3.
“Many customers have quizzed us over the price hike.
“We have to sell them to consumers at a higher price because our suppliers have increased their prices,” she said.
“There are nine coconut shops here, each with different suppliers. However, none of them are offering lower prices as the costs have increased,” she added.
The Star has reached out to Perak rural development, plantation, agriculture and food industry committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun for comments.
