Coconut prices skyrocket, Malaysia asks people to save coconuts

Malaysian leaders have urged Thaipusam festival goers to refrain from smashing coconuts due to a shortage.

Soaring coconut prices in Malaysia have prompted leaders to call on Hindus to refrain from smashing coconuts during the Thaipusam festival - Photo: CNA

According to CNA, coconut prices in Malaysia have skyrocketed amid a shortage of coconuts due to bad weather. Malaysian leaders have even urged those attending the Hindu festival of Thaipusam to refrain from coconut-smashing.

Batu Caves Hindu Temple Committee chief R Nadarajah said he would personally advise devotees to only crack one coconut each.

“As long as you do it with sincerity, the number of coconuts you crack is not important,” said Batu Caves R Nadarajah.

Penang Consumers Association chief Chow Kon Yeow also urged people to consume less coconut during Thaipusam. “Devotees should consume less coconut during Thaipusam to avoid affecting the food security of consumers,” Chow Kon Yeow said at an event last weekend.

The Thaipusam festival in Malaysia is dedicated to Lord Murugan. During the festival, devotees break coconuts as a way of purifying themselves, and the act of breaking coconuts also symbolizes surrendering to one’s ego. Many devotees believe that the more coconuts they break, the more luck they will have.

This year the Thaipusam festival takes place on February 11.

Coconut shortages have been making headlines in Malaysia, especially as demand for coconuts increases during the upcoming Chinese New Year and Thaipusam festivals as well as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Coconut prices in Malaysia have risen as production has fallen due to harsh weather. One of the largest coconut suppliers in northern Malaysia, Anba Coconut Trading, said production at its plantations had dropped by 80-90%.

“The coconut trees look healthy but the yield has dropped significantly. I am quite confused as I have never seen this before,” Ms. P Sarasvathy, owner of Anba Coconut Trading Company, told the media.

Mr NV Subbarow, an education officer of the Penang Consumers Association, said the price of coconuts in Malaysia is now up to RM3.90 (about US$0.88) per coconut, an increase of RM1.30 from the previous price of RM2.60 per coconut.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gia-dua-tang-vot-malaysia-de-nghi-nguoi-dan-tiet-kiem-dua-20250204113013767.htm