Kerala Food Minister Teases More Coconut Oil Price Drops Before Onam
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala, India – August 18, 2025:Good news for folks in Kerala planning their Onam feasts! It sounds like the government is getting ready to cut coconut oil prices even further.
G.R. Anil, Kerala’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, mentioned that the government is serious about helping people out by selling must-have items at lower prices. With coconut oil prices hitting crazy levels lately, this couldn’t come at a better time. Supplyco, the state’s go-to agency for this kind of thing, is gearing up to offer coconut oil at a much cheaper rate for the festival.
What’s Going On with Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is a big deal in Kerala, especially during Onam when everyone’s cooking up a storm for Onam Sadhya. But lately, the price of coconut oil has gone through the roof—we’re talking over ₹500 for a liter! People are blaming it on lower coconut production, fewer imports, and some market tricks.
This price jump is hitting everyone’s wallets hard, and people are asking the government to step in and fix things ASAP.
How the Government’s Responding
The Kerala government is trying two main things to bring prices down. First, they’ve been talking to coconut oil suppliers and sellers, pressuring them to lower prices and make sure there’s enough supply. Second, they’re using Supplyco to get directly involved in the market.
Supplyco is already selling essential stuff at reduced prices to people with ration cards—way cheaper than what you’d find in stores. It’s a huge help, especially for families and those who don’t have much money.
Supplyco to the Rescue
Supplyco is really important for keeping market prices in check in Kerala. They buy goods in big quantities and sell them through their 1,600+ stores around the state. For Onam, they’re planning special Onam Fairs to sell important items like coconut oil at lower prices.
Just recently, Supplyco lowered the price of their own Sabari coconut oil to ₹349 per liter. The amount of Kera coconut oil people could buy at a lowered price was increased from one liter to two liters per ration card, priced at ₹457. Now, the food minister is hinting that prices could drop even more.
Why Are Prices So Up and Down?
Coconut oil prices have always jumped around a bit, but this recent spike has been pretty extreme. A big reason is that there’s been a drop in copra (dried coconut meat) production. This has affected the local market and supplies from neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Plus, the government is saying that some traders are hoarding supplies, creating a fake shortage and driving up prices. The Food Safety Department is also doing more checks to find fake coconut oil, which tends to show up when prices are high.
What It Means Politically
Cutting prices before Onam is a smart move for the ruling LDF government. The festival is a huge deal in Kerala, and if the government can make life easier for people during this time, it looks good for them.
Coconut oil prices are a touchy subject, and the government is trying to show that they’re on the side of the people. This is important, especially since the state is dealing with money problems and a fight with the central government.
What About the Farmers?
While lower prices are great for consumers, how does it affect coconut farmers? Well, the Kerala government says they’re trying to protect both groups. The government, through agencies like Kerafed, has been buying coconuts from farmers at a good price—better than what they’d get on the market.
This way, farmers get a fair price for their stuff, while the government tries to keep prices down for everyone else. It’s a tricky balancing act, but it’s key to the government’s plan.
