Sri Lanka’s coconut crisis: what’s causing the shortage?

Sri Lanka’s coconut industry is facing a sharp drop in production, making it harder to meet both local and export demands. According to crop expert Prof. Buddhi Marambe, the main reason for this crisis is the lack of a proper replanting plan. He stresses that government support is crucial to increase coconut production from the current three billion nuts to at least 4.5 billion per year.

One major issue is that many coconut trees are too old to produce enough nuts. Around 15% of the trees have passed their productive years, and no matter how well they are managed, they won’t yield more. Right now, Sri Lanka needs 250 million coconuts every month — 150 million for local consumption and 100 million for exports.

Coconut production has dropped steadily, from 3.35 billion nuts in 2022 to just 2.68 billion in 2024. The Coconut Research Institute (CRI) warns that between January and April 2025, the country may face a shortage of 200 million coconuts.

Despite these challenges, coconut-based exports are showing improvement. While earnings fell from $836 million in 2021 to $708 million in 2023, they bounced back in 2024, reaching $856 million — a 20% increase. Experts believe the key to saving the industry is planting more high-quality coconut trees and ensuring stable government support.

source: sundayobserver.lk

photo: nexttravelsrilanka.com