The growing divide between the Ministries of Agriculture and Excise notwithstanding, neera is emerging as the soft drink in vogue in the State.
Opinion is divided over whether all coconut farmers should be allowed to tap neera or only those with licences issued by the Excise department should be allowed to do so.
Popular at Games venues
The differences of opinion aside, the market for the unfermented, sweet sap from coconut flowers was successfully tested at the National Games in the State.
The five stalls at five venues of the National Games in Thiruvananthapuram saw sales moving up to an average of 100 litres per day per stall, said the chairman of Palakkad Coconut Producer Company, Vinodkumar P. The only problem they faced was the shortage of neera. There wasn’t enough neera for sale at all Games venues, he said.
The sale of commercially produced neera and value-added food products that use the produce as raw material was launched in the State last year.
“The Kaippuzha Coconut Producer Company in Kollam district sees demand for at least 25,000 to 30,000 bottles of 200 ml each per day in the immediate future,” said chairman Shahjahan Kanjiravilayil. He said the Kaippuzha company was the first to establish a processing plant for neera and had just sent out its first batch of more than 1,500 bottles this week.
The packing volume is expected to increase as neera production picks up. At present, the Kaippuzha company was tapping nearly 1,000 trees and the number would go up to a total of 3,000 trees, which would enable the unit to operate at its full capacity of 1,600 litres per day, he said.
The company has already set up three stalls in different parts of Kollam town and Karunagappally and are looking to open more outlets in the near future.
The Palakkad company has 22 stalls across Kerala, including one at Vyttila Mobility Hub. Sales have touched about 1,000 litres per day. Besides, said Mr. Vinodkumar, neera was a growing favourite for weddings and other family functions. Stalls at exhibitions such as flower shows were another sales booster, he added.
The foundation stone for a neera processing plant and cold storage of the Palakkad Coconut Producer Company was laid at Muthalamada in February this year.
