🥥 Coconut Sector Sets Ambitious 2026 Target Amid Blight Threat 📈

• Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) is targeting 4.2 billion nuts production in 2026. • YTD Aug 2025 production stood at 1.92 billion nuts, a 4.8% decrease YoY. • Despite the output drop, coconut exports grew significantly, up 35% YoY to US$ 367.5 million by Aug 2025. • The average gross price of a nut also saw a sharp 53% YoY increase, reaching Rs. 138.25 in August 2025. • Government allocates over Rs. 3 Billion for the industry in 2026, including: • Rs. 2.5 Billion for a structured program to incentivise smallholders (under 5 acres). • Rs. 600 million to expand cultivation in the Northern Coconut Triangle. • A major concern is the leaf blight threat, reported in Weligama, Matara, Galle, and Hambantota, for which no effective treatment is currently available.