Arecanut exporters keen on Pak market

The export of arecanut to Pakistan by the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO) has been stalled by the hostile relationship between the two countries till recently.

According to B Nagaraj Shetty, president of CAMPCO, consignments of arecanut had been held up at Karachi Port as it was said to be unfit for human consumption. This was typical problem faced by Indian exporters. CAMPCO exported arecanut to Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives without problems.

The state governments of Karnataka and Kerala may reintroduce their market intervention scheme at Rs. 75 per kg, a price suggested by CAMPCO.

Shetty said CAMPCO had tied up with Cadbury to crush beans for manufacture of chocolates. A tie-up with Amul to manufacture chocolates at CAMPCO's factory at Puttur has however been stalled by low offtake.

CAMPCO chocolates and cocoa semi-finished products were being exported to Australia, Maldives, Afghanistan and Germany. CAMPCO has set a net profit target of Rs 10 crore for the financial year 2003-04.