Discourage import of palm oil - Coconut Growers' Association

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The Coconut Growers' Association proposes to the authorities to discourage the importation of palm oil and instead allow the import of pure coconut oil to prevent unscrupulous traders from selling coconut oil adulterated with up to 90 per cent palm oil to unsuspecting consumers.

President, Coconut Growers' Association Nimal Samarakkody responding to certain recent news items in the newspapers about the DC industry making a request for the abolition of import duty on all forms of edible oil imported to the country to prevent the collapse of the coconut industry, accepted the fact that there had been an unprecedented shortfall of coconut production in the country since Nov. 2007 but insisted that it has started to pick up, and in keeping with the coconut crop cycle, peak crops can be expected after mid April.

With the peak crops expected after April much of the shortfall could be averted up to October, he said.

Samarakkody opposed the import of edible oil to the country completely duty free as the DC industry claims to have a much higher level of Value Addition compared to other kernel products.

He recommended that allowing the import of Copra on duty free basis to tide over the shortage that occurs during the lean period which is September to February.

However, importing copra will not only provide oil but also produces poonac used as feed in the dairy industry which can assist the governments drive to provide fresh milk to the nation, he said.

Finally he proposed to prepare a prioritised action plan to implement the recommendation of the National Plantation Industry Policy Framework introduced by the Ministry of Plantation Industries last year.