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Ceylon Chamber seeks approval to import 200mn. coconuts

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The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries has urged the government for permission to import 200 million coconuts with the next few months.

President of the Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries Jayantha Samarakoon said that the major reason for the current coconut shortage is the spike in fertilizer prices.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the National Chamber of Commerce Auditorium yesterday (21), he mentioned that the coconut imports are essential at this time to counter a severe shortage that threatens both domestic supply and export revenue.

Samarakoon attributed the coconut shortfall to skyrocketing fertilizer prices, which have discouraged growers from adequately nourishing coconut crops. He warned that if coconut stocks needed for the coconut-based export industry are not imported immediately, Sri Lanka could lose approximately USD 1 billion in revenue.

He further highlighted that the country’s monthly coconut demand stands at 250 million nuts, of which 150 million are consumed domestically while 100 million are utilized by the industrial sector. However, production has failed to keep pace.

Sri Lanka’s annual coconut yield, which previously averaged 3 billion nuts, dropped to 2.68 billion nuts last year. The Coconut Research Institute has forecast a further decline this year, with production estimated to fall to between 2.4 and 2.6 billion nuts. The institute also predicts a shortfall of 200 million coconuts between January and April 2025, exacerbating the crisis.

In response, the Chamber has proposed importing alternative coconut products such as coconut milk, coconut kernel, dried coconut kernel, or peeled coconuts to bridge the deficit.

Additionally, Samarakoon noted that a steep increase in fertilizer costs—from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 12,000 per 50 kg bag—has resulted in reducing the growers using fertilizer to less than 10%, further worsening the production slump. 

The Chamber has requested that the government provide fertilizer at a subsidized price of Rs. 4,000 per bag and expressed optimism that the upcoming budget will address this issue.

The Chamber also urged the government to introduce subsidies for water supply and soil conservation, which are critical to sustaining coconut cultivation.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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1st stock of imported coconut milk to undergo clearance, lab testing today

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The first consignment of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (31), as part of a coordinated initiative by the Plantation Industries Ministry.

This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to supply essential raw materials to industries linked to the coconut sector, aiming to reduce domestic coconut prices and support local manufacturers. The consignment currently under clearance includes products equivalent to 200 million coconuts. They are in the forms of frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), imported as part of the programme initiated in March 2025. The stock will be used primarily in the coconut milk powder industry, which has been facing raw material shortages. The Plantation Industries Ministry expects this move to reduce the pressure on local coconut supplies and contribute to a drop in retail coconut prices.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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BoC employees to strike over unpaid incentives

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Employees of all Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branches have decided to walk out of service at 12.30 pm today (May 29).

The decision has been taken over the current management not taking the initiative to provide them with the 06-month incentive package approved by the Board of Directors, according to the Bank Employees’ Union.

Central Committee member of the Bank Employees’ Union – Najith Wijeratne, stated that they will initiate a token strike if this issue is not resolved by June 06.

BoC employees have also held lunchtime protests yesterday (May 28) in front of 22 branches in major cities islandwide.

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Imported salt released to market

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The National Salt Ltd. says that 2,800 MT of salt imported from India have been released to the market.

It says the food-grade salt stock, which arrived on May 23, is being distributed to the market through local salt sales agents for consumer sale.

The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development states that Lanka Salt Ltd. is importing 10,000 MT of salt, while over 100 importers, including those from Pettah, are bringing in an additional 100,000 MT.

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