There is a marked improvement in the rates of arecanut this year which is a happy signal for the arecanut growers of Karnataka and Kerala.
New white arecanut which cost Rs 45 to Rs 50 per kg last June now fetches Rs 60 to Rs 65. So too old arecanut which cost Rs 55 to Rs 60 per kg last June now fetches Rs 90 per kg.
According to a trader the stiff competition between Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Ltd.
(Campco) and the Shets has led to the rise in prices. But Campco president Nagaraj Shetty pooh poohs this claim and said the traders are a river and Campco is an ocean.
Shetty told the Business Standard that there are three reasons why the prices have gone up.
One is that there is a good demand in the international market for Indian arecanut as it is of superior quality. (Last year Campco had exported 10 containers worth Rs 80 lakh to Pakistan).
Presently there are inquiries from abroad for export of arecanut by Campco.
