Sky High Coconut Prices to Affect Sri Lanka’s Meal Packets

The skyrocketing prices of coconuts will have serious implications on the packed rice and curry meals in the future, as most of the curries are prepared with the coconut cream, the food industry trade unions said, the Daily Mirror, Colombo reported on March 04.

All Island Canteen Owners Association President Rukshan Harshana noted the price of coconut has now doubled to Rs 120 to Rs 150 from Rs 60 to Rs 80 previously. Hence canteen and eatery owners are faced with a situation to prepare the rice and curry meal packets under the increased coconut prices, and subsequently the uncertainty of having to sell the meal packs at a very high price.  

The sudden rise of coconut prices comes at a time when prices of other commodities have gone up, he said. He warned that prices of coconut oil will also go up in the coming days due to the sudden rise in coconut prices.