PERMISSION GRANTED TO IMPORT FROZEN COCONUT

COLOMBO (News 1st): Permission has been granted to import frozen sliced coconut, to meet the demand of related industries, the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) said on Saturday (Jan. 02). This measure was taken to minimize the problems faced by the related industries due to the shortage of coconuts in the country, P. Edirimanne, the Director of the Coconut Development Authority said. According to Edirimanne, around 100 million coconuts per month, are required for factories and related industries. Thereby, frozen sliced coconut will be imported from India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) further noted. The imported stocks of frozen sliced coconuts will be used to manufacture coconut oil and coconut milk. There is a shortage of coconuts in the country, as a result of adverse weather conditions experienced in the country last year. According to market reports the price of coconut has increased from Rs. 70 to Rs. 100.