Ceylon Coconut Planters* Review, Vol. V No. 3, December, 1968. 

The 
Coconut Industry 
1967 

Dr. W. R. N. NATHANAEL 

General 
An all-time record in Coconut production estimated at 3,148 million 

nuts was recorded in 1964' The estimated production for 1967 however is 
2,577 million nuts, representing a decrease of 18.1 % from 1964 and 9.9% 
from the average production (of 2,860 million nuts) for the past 5 years. 
The decrease from the preceding year's production (estimated at 2,621 
million nuts) amounts to 1.7%. 

The decrease in production during 1967 is also reflected in the steep 
decline in the volume of exports for the year. These represent decreases of 
41.5% and 28-9% from 1964 and the average for the past 5 years res-ractively. The drop in exports in comparison with the preceding year is 

6%-

The value of exports during 1967 averaged Rs. 178.88 per 1,000 nuts 
representing a decrease of 7.6% from 1966 and 30.7% from the previous 
record of Rs. 258-29 reached in 1961. In terms of the average value of exports 
for the past five years (Rs. 176.92) however, the figure for 1967 represents 
an increase of 1.1%. 

Coconut Fertflixer Subsidy Scheme 
- The supply of fertilizers under the Government Subsidy Scheme on 

permits issued by the Commissioner of Coconut Rehabilitation continued 
during 1967. Under this Scheme, as in previous years, Estates (i.e. coconut 
lands over 20 acres in extent) received a Government grant amounting 
to one-third the cost of fertilizer, while small-holdings (i.e. coconut lands 
20 acres or less in extent) received a subsidy amounting to half the cost of 
fertilizer. 

Whilst all estate owners had to make application direct to the Com­
missioner, in the case of small-holders this was made optional, so that by 
choice they could obtain their fertilizer requirements through Co-operative 
Societies, Co-operative Agricultural Production Societies, Multi-Purpose 
Co-operative Societies or through Coconut Producers* Co-operative Socie­
ties. The Ceylon Fertilizer Corporation (set up under the State Industrial 
Corporation Act No. 49 of 1957) continued to remain responsible for the 
distribution of fertilizer. 
130 



Expanded Programme for Rehabilitation 
The six-member Committee appointed by the Hon. Minister of Agri­

culture and Food to study the Memorandum on the proposed Expanded 
Programme for Coconut Rehabilitation submitted its report during the 
middle part of the year. In this connection, the planting bodies have stressed 
the need for both rehabilitation and measures for improving the product­
ivity of coconut lands, particularly after the cyclone damage during October. 

Desiccated Coconut 
The laboratories set up by the Ceylon Coconut Board for stepping up 

the scope of chemical and bacteriological control on desiccated coconut 
manufacture in Ceylon, continued to function effectively during 1967-
There were no complaints from overseas buyers regarding contamination 
with Salmonella or other pathogenic organisms. 

Fermentation Industry 
It is maintained that the manufacture of arrack has dropped by nearly 

100,000 gallons since 1963. Lack of skilled toddy Uppers would appear 
to be the principal reason for the large drop in the number of trees tapped 
and the consequent decline in the production of coconut arrack. 

In spite of the fact that the Department of Rural Development and 
Small Industries has already trained more than a thousand toddy tappers 
at their 20 training centres there has been no tangible improvement in the 
toddy supply position. The Ministry of Home Affairs has therefore decided 
that a further batch of 1,500 tappers should be trained at these centres, 
twelve of which have been established in the Chilaw/Puttalam districts 
and eight in the Kalutara/Colombo districts. The immediate object is to 
increase the number of palms that are being tapped by 50,000. 

Fibre Industry 
The coir fibre industry faced a crisis during the year and more than 

200 mills were actually shutdown. The All-Ceylon Fibre Millers' Association 
have expressed the view that a Fibre Board should be established to deal 
with all aspects of the industry and in particular to introduce measures for 
restoring markets for the various grades of fibre and coir products manu­
factured in Ceylon. 

Miscellaneous 
(1) Working Group on oils and Fats Industry. Consequent on a 

report submitted by ECAFE expert Mr. C. Reddy, a Working Group was 
appointed by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food to examine the 
Oils and Fats Industry with particular reference to coconut production. 

Apart from other things the Group is expected to review the various 
recommendations that have been made by different experts regarding the 
technical, economic and commercial aspects a n d problems of the Seeduwa 
Mills of the Oils and Fats Corporation. The Working Group is also expected 
to define the future role of the Seeduwa Mills in the development of the local 
oils and fats industry and the animal feed industries. 

131 



(2) Export of Glycerine and Fatty Acids. The OiU and Fats Corporation 
introduced a scheme to salvage coconut waste—'Pol Kudu *, from kitchens 
all over Ceylon. It is reported that the response, has been good and over 
2,500 persons have already applied to supply "pol kudu" to the Corpora­
tion. 

The plan is to recover by solvent extraction, crude coconut oil from 
this waste, for chemical splitting into glycerine and fatty acids for export. 
Samples of these products obtained in this way have already been air­
freighted to prospective customers in Europe, the Middle East and Japan 
who have evinced a desire to buy these products for soap manufacture. 

(3) Cyclone Damage. Extensive damage was caused to coconut plant­
ations along the coastal belt from Rajakadaluwa to Wennappuwa in the 
Chilaw District during the 2 day cyclone of October 20th to 21st. 

The field staff of the C.R.I, was deployed for conducting a proper 
survey of the affected areas with a view to assessing the extent of damage 
caused and to collect reliable statistics for purposes of rehabilitation. The 
C.R.I. has also issued leaflets and other advisory material indicating the best 
method for the treatment and disposal of fallen palms which could promote 
the breeding of coconut pests such as the Red Weevil and the Black Beetle. 

M O N T H L Y PRICES OF C O C O N U T PRODUCTS (1967) 

Month 

January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
August 
September ... 
October 
November ... 
December ... 

AVERAGE 

RAINFALL (STATIONS IN COCONUT GROWING AREAS) 

Station 
Lunuwila 
Madampe 
Chilaw ... 
Puttalam 
Kurunegala 

Copraj C'aitf D.C} Poonac j 
Candy Ton 100 a. Ton 

Rs. c. Rs. c. Rs. c. Rs. c. 
196.37 1167.10 45.00 320.50 
206.93 1193.16 45.30 346.58 
203.83 1194.05 46.80 348.09 
188.08 1084.44 44.30 346.39 
173.21 1038.50 45.00 307.50 
181.14 1089.52 46.00 246.67 
175.87 1059.13 47.20 238.48 
179.10 1058.41 49.00 250.68 
198.71 1143.25 52.70 329.00 
211.17 1217.50 51.25 33386 
235.05 1311-66 54.30 356.00 
230.56 1322.85 57.00 379.64 

198.34 1156.63 48.65 316.95 

1966 1967 
Average 
(1957-66) 

65.68 92.39 79.02 
56.68 73.84 6378 
47.44 77.89 62-60 
36.35 45-68 47.41 
85 50 94.83 84.92 

132 



Copra SaUs 
Total Copra Sales in 1967 ... 
Total (Est.) Poonac Production 
Quantity exported 
Available for Internal Consumption 

Candies 
487,100 
57,933 tons 
nil 
57,933 tons 

COCONUT PRODUCTION IN 1967 

Production 
1. Production in 1967 
2- Production in 1966 
3. Av. Production for last 5 years 
4. Previous Production record (1964) 
5. Decrease from 1966 
6. Decrease over last 5 years average 
7. Decrease from previous record 

Nut Equivalent 
2577 million nuts 
2621 „ 
2860 
3148 „ 
1-7% 
9-9% 

18.1% 

Exports 
1. By volume : 

(a) Amount 
1. Exports in 1967 
2. Exports in 1966 
3. Average last 5 years 
4. Previous record (1964) ... 
5. Decrease from 1966 
6- Decrease from 5 years average 
7. Decrease from previous record 

Nut Equivalent 
950,611,000 nuts 

1,028,821,000 „ 
1,337,000,000 „ 
1,625,806,000 „ 

7-6% 
28.9% 
41.5% 

(b) Distribution 

1967 
1966 

C. Oil 
57.0% 
57.5% 

Copra 

10. 7o 

D.C. 
33.6% 
31.2% 

Fresh Nuts 

1-1% 

2. By Value 

(a) Amount 
1. 1967 
2. 1966 
3. Av. for last 5 years 
4. Previous record (1961) 
5. Decrease over 1966 
6. Decrease from last 5 years av. 
7. Decrease from previous r e c o r d 

Rs. 
170.033,494 
199,242,267 
236,548,654 
322,827,380 

14.7% 
28.1% 
47.3% 

(b) Distribution 

1967 
1966 

C. Oil 
51.5% 
54.5% 

Copra 

10.9% 
12.3% 

D.C. 

35-8% 
31.4% 

Fresh Nuts 

1-8% 
1-8% 

133 



Average value of Exports 

1. 1967 
2. 1966 
3. Average last 5 years 
4. Previous record (1961) 
5. Decrease over 1966 ' 
6. Increase over last 5 years av. 
7. Decrease from previous record 

EXPORTS OF COCONUT PRODUCTS 1967 
Item Quantity Value—Rs. yVut Equivalent 

Fresh nuts 
D.C 
C ' n u t O i l 
Copra 

10,227,408 (No.) 
925,709 (Cwt.) 

1,334,164 (Cwt.) 
316,040 (Cwt.) 

3,059,732 
60,796,342 
87,652,992 
18,524,428 

10,227.408 
319,369,605 
542.004.125 
79.010.000 

Total 2,575,913 t 170,033,494 950,611,138 

Coconut Poonac 
Mattress Fibre 
Bristle Fibre 

nil 
1,064,954 (Cwt.) 

538,039 (Cwt.) 

nil 
19,428,347 
22,026,825 

nil 

Total Fibre 1.602,993 41,455,172 
Grand Total . . . 4,178,906 211,488.666 — 

(1000 nuts) Rs. cts. 

17888 
19366 
176.92 
258.29 
7.6% 
1 : 1 % 

Distribution of all products by value : 

C'Oil Copra 

1967 ... 41.4% 8.8% 
1966 ... 45.8% 10.4% 

D.C. Fresh Muts Fibre 

28-8% 1.4% 19.6% 
26-4% 1.5% 15.9% 

Conversion Rates 

1 ton of Copra 
I ton of C ' O i l 
1 t on of Des i cca t ed C o c o n u t 

5,000 nuts 
8,125 nuts 
6,900 nuts 

134 



O * J*> \j\ 

B ' 
a-

o 

OO 

*Sj .fr. V>> J? 
0 9 t s ) K > K > • £ 

V \H E * — J ^ — — * » 

— Q C N K > £ . 

V » V * t7> S . 

© 7" >* i£ >© y _ jyv OO pN U J OD 

C R O P I N T E L L I G E N C E 
By G. KARUNASENA 

4lb, 5th and 6tb Crops of 1967 In d i f f e r e n t localities 

LOCALITY CROP 
Nuts per Palm 

Average \ This crop 
% Depar-

. turefrom 
• average 

Average 

Copra Ouitur 

This crop 

n 
~'%Depa7-~ 

tare from 
average 

Gonawila (11 ... 4th Crop (July-Aug. '67,1 
5th Crop (Scpt-Oct. *67) 
6lh Crop ( N o v - D e c . "67) 

11 -5 
II 4 

5-4 

9 2 
8 5 

10 0 

— 2 0 
—25 
+ 85 

1248 
1300 
1293 

1372 
1344 
1426 — 1 0 

Gonawila <2) ... 

Giriulla 

4th Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sepc-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . '67) 

15 -5 
14 1 
9 0 

9 9 
10 K 

. 9 - 6 . 

—36 

I 2 7 

1222 
1256 
1280 

1267 
1274 
1246 

— 4 
_ 1 
+ 3 

Gonawila <2) ... 

Giriulla 4th Crop (July-Aug. *67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . '67) 

15-6 
13-0 
7 6 

11-4 
9 -3 
9-5 

—27 
—28 
- 2 5 

1311 
1389 
1310 

1327 
1275 
1305 

_ I 
+• 8 
+ 0 - 4 

Kuruncgala (1) 4th Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Scpt-Oct. "67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . *67) 

12 -6 
10-6 
7-4 

10-0 
* 
• 

—21 1442 
1445 
1434 

1441 
* 
• 

+ 0 1 

Kuruncgala (2) 4th Crop (July-Aug. *67> 
5th Crop (Scpt-Oct '67) 
6th Crop (No'- -Dec. *67) 

13-7 
12 3 
9 3 

12 3 
9-9 
9-2 

—10 
— 2 0 
— 1 

1282 
1283 
1280 

1420 
1244 
1221 

— 11 
-;• 3 
-•• 5 

Lunuwila 4th Crop (Julv-Aug. '67) 
5th C r e p t Sept-Oct. *67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . '67) 

13-4 
8-7 
6-4 

8 -4 
9-3 

1 0 1 

—37 
_i. 7 
-\ 58 

1337 
1354 
1315 

1406 
1426 
1440 

— 5 
_ 5 
— 19 

Nattandiya 4ih Crop (Julv-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . *67) 

14 0 
9 -2 
6-1 

7-8 
9 -4 
8 0 

—14 
+ 2 
+ 31 

1344 
1394 
1287 

1334 
1345 
1345 

+ 1 
t - 4 
— 4 

Kudawcwa 4th Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop (Nov-Dec , '67) 

14-8 
10-3 
8-2 

13-6 
10-2 
12 3 

— 8 
— 1 
+ 50 

1105 
1086 
1021 

1166 
1116 
1142 

— 6 
— 3 
- 1 2 

Chilaw 4th Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . *67) 

14-8 
13 5 
9-3 

• 
* 
* 

— — * 
* 
* 

— 

fiingiriya (1) 4th Crop (July-Aug. "67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D c c . '67) 

14 9 
13-0 
8-7 

9 - 9 
10 '6 
8 -4 

—34 
— 18 
— 3 

— 
• 
* 
* 

— 

Bingtriya (2) 4th Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop (Nov-Dec . *67) 

13-3 
8-7 
6-4 

7 2 
8 3 
9 6 

—46 
— 5 
+ 50 

13*7 
1472 
1116 

1332 
1605 
1644 

-:• 3 
— 9 
— 16 

Rajakatlaiuwa ... 4ih Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . *67) 

15-7 
14 -4 
11 5 

II -9 
10-4 
9-1 

- 2 4 

- 2 1 

1214 
1219 
1188 

1444 
1293 
1295 

— 19 
— 6 
_ y 

Madurankuli 4th Crop (July-Aug. '67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. *67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D e c . "67) 

11 -7 
10-4 
10-7 

9 - 6 
8 -4 
9-3 

- 1 8 
—19 
— 13 

1127 
1102 
1102 

1258 
1150 
1160 

— 12 
_ 4 
- 5 

N c g o m b o 4th Crop (July-Aug. *67) 
5th Crop (Sept-Oct. '67) 
6th Crop ( N o v - D c c . *67) 

13-9 
10 7 
7-5 

11 1 
9 0 
8-2 

—20 
—16 
+ 9 

1177 
1219 
1212 

1311 
1276 
1231 

— 11 
— 5 
— 2 

* Returns not received. 



TABLE 2 

Rainfall of different localities in the second half of 1967 

Month Gonawila Giriutla 

JULY 
AUGUST 
SEPTEMBER 
OCTOBER .. 
NOVEMBER 
DECEMBER 

TOTAL FOR SIX 
MONTHS ... 

Kuruncgala Lunuwila Nattandiya 
& Kuda-

Cfti/aw Bingiriya Aajatcaaa- Madman-
iuwa kuli 

4-33 
5 -67 
6-99 

19-90 
1 3 1 2 
4 19 

3-90 
5-27 

20-98 
16 02 
5-28 

4-52 
4 38 
3-61 

15-85 
13 81 
9-78 

4-22 
3-26 

11 51. 
26 54 
15 06 
4 69 

3 38 
2-61 
8-03 

25-39 
10 49 
6 14 

3 12 
I 28 
8 40 

29 29 
7-98 
7-94 

2 19 
0 88 
6 98 

25 -94 
6-56 

12 -63 

I 09 
9 93 

27 -96 

3 08 
O.OU 
2-62 

11-55 
9-72 
7-58 

Negombo 

4-64 
2-85 
8-61 

22 -49 
16-50 
4 12 



P R I C E T R E N D S AND S A L E S O F 
C O C O N U T P R O D U C T S 

By 
RANJITH FERNANDO 

TABLE 1 
Average prices of coconut products for the second half of 1967 

Month Week 

Estate 
Copra 

Market 
' Price per 

Candy , 
j Rs, cts. 

oil Price 
per Ton 

Rs. cts. 

i Poonac 
j Price 
, per Ton 

Rs. cts. 

j Desiccated 
! Coconut 
j Price per 
\ Pound 
j Rs. cts. 

JULY 1st 
2nd 
3rd 
4th 

18160 
178 00 
177-88 
167-67 

1094-17 
1077 -50 
1060 00 
1005-00 

240-00 
240-00 
239 00 
235 00 

-47 
-47 
•48 
-47 

AUGUST 1st 
2nd 
3rd 
4th 

170 55 
175-67 
181-55 
187-62 

1033 00 
1046-67 
1070-00 
1081 67 

237-00 
244-17 
255 00 
265 -00 

-47 
48 
49$ 

•51 
SEPTEMBER 1st 

2nd 
3rd 
4th 

194-10 
206-05 
198 OS 
196 65 

1132 -00 
1 ISO 00 
1129 00 
1132-00 

290 00 
343 00 
346-00 
337-00 

•53 
-54 
52 ' 

•51* 
OCTOBER 1st 

2nd 
3rd 
4th 

196-65 
206-75 
212 10 
230 05 f 

1165 -00 
1217-00 
1219 00 
1269 17 

332 -50 
323 00 
332 -50 
348 -00 

•51 I 
NOVEMBER 1st 

2nd 
3rd 
4th 

239-30 i 
229 55 ! 
221 75 ! 
241 60 ; 

1315 00 ! 
1271 00 
1260 00 
1408-33 : 

l 

350 00 
358 00 
350 00 
366 -67 

1 

-54 
53 

•53 
-58 

DECEMBER 1st * 
2nd 
3rd 
4th 

234-30 
227 75 
230-25 
229 00 

1310-00 j 
1306 00 1 
1338 0 0 ; 
1340-00 

1 
377-50 J 
380-00 I 
380 00 i 
380 00 1 

i 

55* 
•56 
-58 
•58 

TABLE 1 
Monthly sales of coconut products for the second half of 1967 

Month Copra in tons 

JUY 
AUGUST 
SEPTEMBER 
OCTOBER 
NOVEMBER 
DECEMBER 

12610 8 
12111 2 
121305 
10753 -5 
9255 -2 
8088-5 

Oil in Tons 

6644 
5050 
5557 
7416 
5180 
332! 

D. C. in Pounds 

11.595,693 
11,638,285 
12.415,195 
11,043,435 
9,035.605 
8.828.420 

(Figures obtained from the Ceylon Coconut Board) 

137