BATU PAHAT: The price of coconut milk in the state is expected to increase before and after Ramadan due to a persistent shortage of local and imported coconuts.
The supply of coconuts has steadily declined as Indonesia, a key supplier, shifts its exports to Thailand, which offers a higher price.
Coconut milk seller Mohd Fazren Jemain, 33, said there was a 50 per cent drop in daily coconut deliveries, which previously ranged between four and five tonnes.
He added that the shortage had made it difficult for vendors to maintain prices.
"The price of a coconut in Indonesia is much higher, but due to Thailand's demand, suppliers are exporting there instead," he said.
Fazren, who has been in the business for more than 33 years, said the price of local coconuts had surged from RM1,700 per tonne to RM2,800.
He said a coconut now costs RM2.80, and at least four coconuts are needed to produce a kilogramme of coconut milk.
When factoring in transportation costs, this has led to a sharp rise in the price of coconut milk, with a kilogramme now costing RM12, up from RM11 just yesterday, he added.
"Even before the increase, customers were complaining about the steep price."
The shortage has been exacerbated by the local "melawas" season, when coconuts fail to grow, and despite efforts to source coconuts from abroad, the situation remains dire, he said.
Fazren added that imported coconuts often arrive damaged, causing further losses for vendors.
Another coconut milk seller, Aziz Mohd, 58, said many vendors were struggling to stay in business due to the ongoing coconut shortage.
"Some have been forced to close shop," he said.
He added that the shortage, which began in September, worsened last month as imports declined.
With Ramadan approaching, both vendors expected the situation to persist and potentially worsen after Hari Raya Aidilfitri as the coconut supply remained scarce.