2015, Volume 18, Paper 106
ISSN: 1442-6951

The Sri Lankan Coconut Industry: Current Status and Future Prospects in a Changing Climate

Pathiraja, P.M.E.K. – PhD Candidate, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia Email: epathiraja@student.unimelb.edu.au

Griffith, G.R. – Professor, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia Email: profgarrygriffith@gmail.com

Farquharson, R.J. – Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia Email: bob.farquharson@unimelb.edu.au

Faggian, R. – Associate Professor – Climate Change Adaptation, Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia Email: r.faggian@deakin.edu.au

Abstract

The coconut industry is an important source of foreign exchange and employment generation for Sri Lanka, and an essential component of Sri Lankan cuisine, nutrition and rural livelihood. This paper describes the current status of the industry reviewing its behaviour over the recent past and assessing future possibilities. Coconut occupies 20 percent of Sri Lankan arable land and the majority (82 percent) is operated at small scale. Nearly 63 percent of production is domestically consumed and this proportion is linked with the increasing population. Average coconut yields have been stagnant over time but there is substantial year to year variability due to climatic factors. This volatility generates intense competition for raw materials among the various processing industries. The government allows substitute edible oil imports and bans fresh nut exports when fresh nut prices are increasing. Future coconut supply is uncertain due to climate change and its unknown impacts. However, effective adaptation measures may limit the expected vulnerability depending on the severity of change. The uncertainties of future coconut supply may affect domestic consumers, producers and the coconut processing industries. An analysis of adaptation strategies to predicted climate change for the Sri Lankan coconut industry value chain is considered to be an important research issue.

Keywords: Coconut, Sri Lanka, climate change, adaptation, value chain

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