Coconut prices in Vijayawada at Rs 30 per piece

The demand for coconuts increases sharply with summer approaching. However, this year, even though summer is yet to begin, coconut prices have already peaked.

In Vijayawada, Coconut prices have gone up from Rs 20 to Rs 30 per and a litre of coconut water now costs Rs 50 to Rs 70. Instead of Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam, East Godavari and Vishaka districts, Coconut traders are now importing stocks from Kerala.

Cyclone Hudhud and the gas leak have hit the coconut crop said trader K. Achaya Naidu and also that he used to import three loads from Rajahmundry. But in local markets, quality nuts are not available now.

From Kerala, he said that traders were buying 100 coconuts for Rs 2,000. Auto rickshaw driver P. Raju said that prices might even reach Rs 50 which might make him switch to buttermilk.