Heat lifts coconut sales, but not by much

 

Sales cooling: Choong arranging coconuts at the fruit stall in Johor Baru. Sales have risen amid the hot weather, but remain below levels seen in previous years.

JOHOR BARU: The hot and hazy weather may have boosted coconut sales, but traders here say the increase is nowhere near the levels they saw a few years ago.

They said one of the main reasons was the growing availability of coconuts in Singapore, reducing the need for Singaporeans to cross the border to enjoy the fruit here.

Fruit seller Tie Kian Chow, 44, said coconut sales had increased over the last few weeks due to the heat and haze, with the fruit popularly believed to have cooling properties.

“On average, I sell about 100 coconuts daily, which is a far cry from the 300 to 400 I used to sell during such weather in the past.

“Even when the weather was not as hot, I was able to sell at least 200 coconuts daily about six to seven years ago.

“One of the main reasons for this is that Singaporeans, who make up a significant number of our customers, can easily get coconuts imported from here or other countries within the island republic itself.”

He added that in the past, some of his customers would drive all the way to Johor Baru for fresh coconut water.

“Now they can get it easily there, even if it is slightly more expensive.

“It is the same with durian. We used to have customers coming all the way from China.

“However, they can now get it easily in their own country,” he said.

Similarly, fruit store administrative clerk Choong Qi Hui, 38, said sales were not as significant as before.

“Whenever the weather is hot, we are bound to see some spike here and there.

“That has always been the trend, and I believe it will continue as many believe coconut water can help cool the body during such weather.

“However, the increase this time is not significant, probably about 10%, which is considered low compared to before.

“It is also not stable, as we see demand go up and down from day to day,” she said, adding that they now sell between 100 and 150 fruits daily.

Asked about the supply of coconuts amid the haze, she said there was no shortage so far.

“For now, production does not seem to be affected.” - Star