Supply Surge and Regional Dynamics Press Down Sri Lankan Nut Prices
Colombo, July 4, 2025 – The average auction price of coconuts in Sri Lanka dropped to a seven-month low this week, sliding 4.7% to Rs. 114.77 per nut, according to data released by the Coconut Development Authority. This marks the lowest average since late November 2024, when prices hovered around Rs. 109.61.
At the Colombo weekly auction, the highest price per nut dropped from Rs. 139 to Rs. 130, while the lowest price slipped from Rs. 109 to Rs. 102.
The sharp drop comes as auction volumes surged, with 676,657 coconuts offered—up significantly from 453,733 the previous week. Sales also rose, with 613,495 nuts sold compared to 410,323 previously.
Current Coconut Price Snapshot – July 3, 2025
| Market Segment | Price Range (LKR) |
|---|---|
| Colombo Wholesale Auction | Rs. 102 – Rs. 130 per nut |
| Local Retail (Large Nut) | Rs. 165 – Rs. 175 per nut |
| Local Retail (Small Nut) | Rs. 140 – Rs. 155 per nut |
| Farmgate (Kurunegala) | Rs. 90 – Rs. 100 per nut |
| Copra | Rs. 105,000 – Rs. 200,000 (per 250kg) |
| Coconut Oil (Wholesale) | Rs. 880,000 – Rs. 900,000 (per MT) |
Regional Ripple Effects
While prices have softened in Sri Lanka due to rising domestic supply, Chennai is experiencing the opposite. Indian media reported that coconut prices have doubled in the region, driven by tight supply and robust demand, creating contrasting price dynamics in the South Asian coconut market.
Outlook Ahead
Analysts expect prices to remain under pressure unless there is a sharp drop in supply or new demand from regional markets. The rise in auction volume indicates that harvesting has picked up significantly, while the gap between farmgate and retail prices suggests room for better value transmission to producers.