Costly concoction: Abdul Rahim preparing fresh coconut milk at the Tun Sardon Market in Gelugor. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The people should learn how to do without fresh coconut milk in their recipes since the price of fresh coconut milk has skyrocketed, says the Consumers Association Penang (CAP).
“You can get a creamy texture for your curries, sauces and cakes by using evaporated milk, cooking cream or yogurt.
“Since coconut milk is so expensive now, avoid it and consider other options,” said CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader.
From less than RM10 per kilo last year, the price has now gone up to RM17, while some recent news reports stated that it had reached RM20 in Kelantan.
Abdul Rahim Omar, who sells fresh coconut milk at the Taman Tun Sardon market in Gelugor, confirmed that he is now selling it at RM17.
“In just six months, the cost of santan has increased by 50%, with no sign of dropping.
“The price of fresh coconut milk was steady at RM3 to RM5 per kilo since 1998, and only went up to RM11 in 2024,” he said yesterday.
As for whole husked coconuts, he said the price had increased from RM2.70 to RM3.60 each.
Due to the steep price, the 68-year-old said his sales dropped by almost 40% as customers cut consumption or opted for alternatives.
“I used to stock up 140kg to 160kg of coconuts daily, but now I am only able to sell about 100kg to 120kg daily,” he said.
Checks with traders at markets found that the supply of other products such as meat and vegetables remains stable, but coconut-related products continue to increase in price.
Firdaus Yasaidin, 32, said toasted grated coconut paste (kerisik) has become more expensive at his stall.
“The price of kerisik packets has increased by about 30% since early this year.
“For a 400g pack, what used to cost RM6 is now RM8.50, while 35g packs have gone up from RM1 to RM1.50,” he said.
Grocery shop owner S. Rateika, 45, said her supply of husked coconuts, once priced at RM2, had stopped since the end of last year due to a supply shortage.
“In my seven years in business, this is the first time the supply of coconuts has come to a halt.
“I had no coconuts to sell for Ponggal and Thaipusam this year,” she added.
Rateika noted that the price of boxed santan had also increased by about 20%.
Coconut supplier Joel Jeyachandran, 40, who supplies santan to wet markets, said the price increase was due to poor harvests and a shortage in supply.
“My coconuts are local but there are also those from Indonesia in the market.
“Last December it was RM12 per kilo, but the price has since increased to RM16 in February this year.
“Although prices seem to have stabilised this month, we are uncertain if the supply will recover until Hari Raya is over in April,” he said.
