During previous Ramadans, coconuts used to be available in local markets for MVR 15, however, this year the rate of coconuts is at MVR 35, which is more than double the price from the previous years.
PlantSnap
When we think about Maldives, one of the first things we think about is coconut palms. Whether you are describing the beautiful islands or the mouth-watering delicacy of the country, coconuts always have a way of popping up as they play a major role in Maldivian culture.
Since Maldivian cuisine is heavily based on the usage of products of coconut palms in all the different stages of their lives, coconut play a major role in the dishes. Whether you are making Maldivian curry or side dishes or short eats, coconuts play a major role in bringing authentic Maldivian flavours to these dishes.
The importance of coconuts is further highlighted during the month of Ramadan as households play an important part in creating beautiful dishes to feed whole families and friends as well as community members. And with the Maldives having an abundance of coconut palms who would have thought that Maldivians would be struggling to find coconuts, especially at affordable prices?
This year appears to be an unfortunate one for Maldivians as a majority of the coconut palms all around the country caught a deadly black fungus called sooty-mould, which has disrupted the supply of coconuts in one of the largest coconut palm plantations at H.Dh Kumundhoo.
With the fast pace at which the disease is spreading, the Agriculture Ministry of the Maldives has issued a warning to the citizens against transporting coconut palms from island to island. The Ministry has also requested citizens to inform them in case they detect black mold in any palms.
Due to this disease, it has affected the growth of the coconut palms and have stopped bearing fruits, which has led to the issue of the supply of coconut during the month of Ramadan. During previous Ramadans, coconuts used to be available in local markets for a maximum price of MVR 15, however, this year the rate of coconuts is at MVR 35, which is more than double the price from previous years.
"Our trees were infected about six months ago. So we got some coconuts. But now there is nothing.”
Due to the fast-spreading and deadly infection, islands that are major suppliers of coconuts to the rest of the Maldives are struggling to keep up with the demand as the coconut palms are not producing any coconuts at this point.
It is definitely shocking to see the Maldives struggling with coconuts as a country that is so abundant in coconut palm trees. With the coconut palms being the national tree of the Maldives, yet the country is now faced with importing coconuts from other countries in order to facilitate households during Ramadan.
