Local coconut production increased significantly this year, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara said.

Participating at the annual symposium of coconut growers in the BMICH recently, the Minister said the targeted coconut production for 2012 is 2,900 million and about 2,000 million coconuts were harvested.

"More than 3,000 million coconuts can be expected this year. Coconut production in 2010 was 2,317 million and in 2011 it was 2,808 million," he said. The Minister said when production increases, prices would automatically come down.

The Ministry will take measures to control the prices of coconut by protecting both producers and consumers. According to statistics, the annual yield of coconuts per tree has also increased up to 1,000 nuts.