Water Shortages Drive Up Cocoon Prices in Coimbatore Region

Sericulture farmers in the Coimbatore region are experiencing declining output due to high temperatures and water shortages affecting mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing. Arrivals at the Coimbatore market have dropped by 30 to 40 per cent over the last three months, against an earlier daily average of about 1.5 tonnes. Auction prices climbed to Rs 820-850 a kilogram last week before settling around Rs 750 in recent days.

The production setback is linked to a steep contraction in mulberry cultivation, with acreage shrinking by more than half. This decline is attributed to an extended rainfall deficit, linked to the El Niño effect, which limits water availability for essential mulberry leaves.