The prices of coconut oil and copra soared to ₹393 and ₹261 respectively in the Onam season with retail prices of coconut oil touching ₹470

After hitting a record high in July, copra and coconut oil prices started moving southward, registering a significant drop over the past few days.

The drop in copra prices in Tamil Nadu was ₹5 when the market opened on Thursday morning with its rates declining to ₹172 from ₹177 in the previous day, while coconut oil registered ₹3 drop at ₹243.50 from ₹246.75, traders said.

Kerala also witnessed a similar declining trend, with prices dropping by ₹2 for copra to reach ₹196 against to ₹198 in the previous day. Coconut oil prices are ruling at ₹332 in the wholesale market, while the retail market rates are ₹360.

In July, the prices of coconut oil and copra soared to ₹393 and ₹261 respectively in the Onam season with retail prices of coconut oil touching ₹470.

Thalath Mahmood, president of Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA), attributed the drop to approaching new harvest season that led to increased arrivals of copra in the market coupled with a diminishing local and upcountry demand on account of higher prices. The demand for coconut oil both in the upcountry and local market was weak as higher prices prompted consumers to go for other cheaper edible oils.

He foresees increased copra arrivals in the coming months, thanks to surplus production in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which is likely to impact the prices further. The harvest season in Kerala is expected to start by January followed by Tamil Nadu in March which would ensure surplus availability of copra in the domestic market, he said, adding that most buyers are waiting for the new season to make their purchase.  

Prices are expected to ease further in the coming weeks with the arrival of fresh copra stocks. Sellers are also in the process of disposing of their high-priced stocks procured earlier, traders said.

Industry sources said increased rainfall in many parts of the coconut producing countries of Southeast Asia, thanks to La Nina conditions would also be a contributing factor to increase the productivity of coconut trees next year.  

Published on December 18, 2025