The production of coconut in the country is estimated to be down by 10%, as per the survey conducted by Coconut Development Board (CDB). The crop production in state of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka has fallen, while the output in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra and West Bengal is showing an uptick.The four southern states together comprise around 90% of the coconut production in the country.
Kerala, the largest coconut grower in the country, production fell by 17.48% to 4,886 million nuts because of inadequate rain, pest and diseases. Major drop in production was observed in Idukki, Kottayam and Kollam districts while Alappuzha showed a significant rise in output.
The second biggest producer Tamil Nadu reported 3.9% rise at 4,850 million nuts with increase in crop in Tirupur, Tanjavur and Kanyakumari districts and a decline in Krishnagiri and Tirunelveli districts while Karnataka recorded 4.87% fall in production at 4,126 million nuts with major coconut growing regions of Tumkur, Hassan, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada facing a shortage.