PETALING JAYA: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) anticipates the coconut supply shortage, resulting in rising prices, will improve by January next year.
Fama chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said to meet market demand, the authority’s subsidiary, Famaco, had increased the import of mature coconuts from Indonesia to 320 metric tonnes per month from December, compared with 180 metric tonnes previously.
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He said this measure had helped stabilise market prices and Fama’s monitoring indicated that the increasing import supply had begun balancing the market demand for coconuts.
“However, this process will take time due to high demand during the festive season.
“Currently, the average price of mature coconuts in Peninsular Malaysia ranges from RM2.20 to RM2.93 each. The situation is expected to improve further, benefitting consumers by January 2025,” he said in a statement.
Yesterday, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) raised concerns about the rapid increase in the price of coconuts sold in Penang after its market survey found that the price of coconuts had gradually risen from RM2 to RM2.50, with larger coconuts selling at RM3.30 each.
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CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the increase in coconut prices had also led to higher prices for coconut milk, up from RM12 to RM14 and even to RM15 per kg. The price of grated coconut had also gone up to RM11 per kg from RM8.
He urged Fama as well as the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to conduct an immediate investigation into the price hike and supply shortage.
Fama today said that the unpredictable weather over the past three months had disrupted coconut production in local plantations and exporting countries such as Indonesia.
This situation has led to a supply reduction of up to 50% in several major markets, including the Klang Valley.
Fama also said that it was intensifying its collaboration with various stakeholders, including importers, wholesalers, and retailers, to ensure an uninterrupted coconut supply chain.
These initiatives include streamlining the logistics process for importing mature coconuts from Indonesia, which plays a key role in meeting market demand.
“Simultaneously, continuous monitoring is being conducted nationwide to identify areas experiencing supply shortages,” it said.
Fama also said that it would continue working with the Malaysian quarantine and inspection services to prevent smuggling activities at the country’s borders.
