Government to import copra

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The Government is to import 30,000 mt of copra to maintain the local coconut industry.

The Coconut Development Authority has called for applications from those interested in importing copra before December 4 and this will be allowed only until February 29 next year.

Minister of Plantation Industries D.M. Jayaratne has obtained a special approval from the Cabinet having identified the need of protecting coconut oil production in the country.

However, the authorities would give serious consideration to a few main factors when importing copra imported copra will be examined by the authorities on arrival at the Port and smoking and other required measures will be done by the Agricultural Department.

The Government expects to give some relief to coconut oil millers who are undergoing difficulties due to the shortage of coconut and the consumers by taking this decision, the Ministry said.

In any case if the price of a coconut oil kilo drops by Rs. 150, before the February 29, the Ministry of Plantation will immediately stop the import of copra.

According to the statistics of the ministry, the total requirement of coconut for 2007 is 3,106 million nuts and there is a shortage of 206 million nuts for the year.

As a result prices have gone up. The price of a coconut during the last month was Rs. 28 to 30 and a kilo of coconut oil shot up to Rs. 196.

The Coconut Research Institute has predicted a further drawback of coconut supply to the market unitil February next year due to adverse weather.