Pune: Coconut Prices Soar to Rs 500 per Kg Ahead of Diwali in Maharashtra

Pune, 18th October 2025: Coconut prices have reached record highs ahead of Diwali, with retail rates of dried coconuts (khobra) touching ₹500 per kilogram in major markets across Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai, and Thane. The surge comes amid reduced coconut cultivation in southern states and rising festive demand.

While prices of other festive essentials, such as gram dal and pulses, have declined compared to last year, coconut has remained consistently expensive over the past four months. During Diwali, the demand for dried coconuts used in traditional sweets and snacks like karanji and chivda has increased sharply, with a quarter kilogram of coconut now retailing at around ₹120.

Heavy rains in southern states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala have significantly affected coconut cultivation. Production has dropped by 30–40% compared to last year, creating a supply-demand imbalance across the country. As these states supply coconuts nationwide, the shortfall has kept prices elevated. In retail markets, a single coconut is now priced between ₹40 and ₹60, depending on size and quality, said Deepak Bora, a coconut trader from Pune’s Market Yard.

“The demand for coconuts started rising from the month of Shravan, and prices have remained high since then. Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri further pushed demand. We expected prices to ease before Diwali as supply increased, but supply has remained low while demand continues to grow—from both households and sweet shops,” Bora explained.

Ashok Lodha, another trader from Market Yard, added, “Heavy rains in the southern states have severely impacted coconut cultivation this season. With demand strong and supply limited, there is little chance of a price drop in the near term. Coconut and copra prices are likely to remain high in the coming months.”