Sri Lanka would be unable to meet the global demand of coconuts due to high cost on fertiliser resulting in a low yield in the country, The Daily Morning Business learnt. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRISL) Director Dr. Sanathanie Ranasinghe said: “ The State-owned estates are applying the fertiliser, but out of  80% of the coconut growers are small growers who are reluctant to apply fertiliser due to the high cost. 

According to the Central bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) Monthly Economic Indicators Report of November 2023,  from January to October last year (2023), the coconut export revenue has reduced by 19%  which is $ 284.9 million compared to 2022. From January to October in 2022, coconut export revenue was $ 351.8 million.

Coconut Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Prof. Roshan Perera explained:  “The country has 450,000 hectares of coconut land and we anticipate a poor yield rate, if we continue like this.”

Moreover, in the last two years,  2021 and 2022, the country has been able to gain a very good crop yield of over 3000 million, but this year (2024), the CRISL expects around 2,950 million coconuts. 

CRISL said that the local consumption of coconut production is 60-70%. The rest of 30-40% is used for the industries. However, when there is a shortage of coconut supply for the industries, the country fails to cater to the export demand while it is not allowed to import coconuts because of quarantine related issues, she said.

“Therefore, we have to educate the growers and make the needs available. CRISL has given recommendations to use correct agronomic practices yet the growers adoption of these recommendations is very low”, she pointed out.