Dengue season sees spike in tender coconut price in Gurgaon

The rise in mosquito-borne diseases has led to a hike in demand and price of tender coconuts and coconut water. The price of the fruit have gone up by Rs10 to Rs15 in the last one month. A piece of tender coconut that was earlier being sold at Rs 30 is now available for Rs 40-45

The rise in mosquito-borne diseases has led to a hike in demand and price of tender coconuts and coconut water. The price of the fruit have gone up by Rs10 to Rs15 in the last one month. A piece of tender coconut that was earlier being sold at Rs 30 is now available for Rs 40-45

A piece of tender coconut that was earlier being sold at Rs 30 is now available for Rs 40-45.(Rahul Grover/HT Photo)

The vendors said before chikungunya and dengue gripped the city, hardly anyone from upscale societies came to them seeking fresh coconut water. But for the last one month, there has been a sudden surge in customers.

“There has been a surge in sales at our stalls. People these days like drinking packed juices and hardly opt for fresh fruits. Since cases of chikungunya and dengue started rising, more and more people have started drinking coconut water,” said Rajju Sharma, a 21-year-old coconut seller in Sector 40.

The fruit sellers said most of their customers take at least five to six coconuts home, for their families.

Mohit Kumar, a 35-year-old fruit seller in Sadar Bazaar, said, “I used to go to the wholesale market once in three days but now I have to go every morning. The sales have gone up from 20 coconuts to at times even 60 in a day.”

The residents, however, said that the hike in sales has led to a rise in prices as well. Residents of various condominiums such as DLF, Sushant Lok, and South City said the fruit which was earlier being sold at Rs 30 is now costlier by Rs 15.

Geetanjali Pant, an MNC employee and resident of South City 1, said, “The price of coconut has gone up in the last one month. The vendor in the local market is now selling the fruit at Rs 45.”

Doctors also emphasised on the benefits of coconut water. It is full of nutrients and minerals which help in washing away toxins from the body and also helps in keeping the body hydrated.

“When a patient is diagnosed with any mosquito-borne disease, due to the high fever, the patient becomes dehydrated. Hence, it is important to consume large quantities of fluids and maintain a liquid diet. Coconut water plays a significant role as it not only hydrates the patient but also provides nourishment,” Dr Sushila Kataria, associate director, department of internal medicine, Medanta - The Medicity, said.