Centre imposes curbs on import of desiccated coconut powder

On the strains of import constraints on pepper, the Centre has appear to the help of the coconut sector by putting constraints on the import of desiccated coconut powder.

In accordance to a notification issued by the Commerce Ministry, desiccated coconut powder imports with CIF benefit of ₹150 and above per kg is cost-free, even though shipments priced fewer are prohibited with influence from January 1.

The authorities decision will come on a ask for created by the Coconut Improvement Board to guard the domestic sector, which has been on the verge of closure simply because of substantial-scale imports of desiccated coconut powder.

Formal resources informed BusinessLine that the authorities experienced sought the sights of the Board in the wake of unbridled imports, primarily from Sri Lanka, at quite low rates on account of high domestic selling prices of uncooked coconuts.

Nil import duty

Desiccated coconut powder shipments in bulk quantities have been coming under SAFTA with nil import duty. The Sri Lankan powder in the domestic marketplace is pegged at around ₹100 per kg, even though the domestic price is hovering in the array of ₹120-130 per kg. There was a time when India exported additional than five,000 tonnes and the craze has now reversed.

There were also stories that desiccated coconut is remaining imported, disguised as animal feed, coconut oil cake and copra oil cake. It is applied in sweets, biscuits, confectionery, and curry etc.

India is a main producer of coconut globally and desiccated coconut has advanced as a main benefit-extra merchandise, offering work to additional than 1 lakh people. There are about 150 models in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Desiccated coconut is the largest sector just after coconut oil and it was in advancement trajectory until not too long ago next the upgradation of the processing abilities of factories.

Even so, uncontrolled imports have set the domestic sector in dire straits.

There are also stories that imported items are remaining mixed with neighborhood brand names, which hurts the neighborhood companies and their items. The imports have also led to decline in domestic selling prices of uncooked coconut.