Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Jun 14: As areca nut could not be transported to north Indian states including Gujarat, the areca nut godowns in those states have turned empty. As the demand is more for areca nut of the coastal region, the rate is increasing day by day.

The new areca nut rate per kg has reached to Rs 300. The reason for this is a shortage of supply. The production of areca nut has also gone down in some years due to low yield and crop disease. The wholesalers had procured areca nut at very low rates and had stocked the same in their godowns. As areca nut could not be supplied due to lockdown, the rates have gone high.

As soon as the lockdown was lifted, areca nut was supplied to the buyers. Even then the high demand in North India could not be met. One of the reasons for the rise in price is the stoppage of low-quality areca nut from Malaysia, Singapore and Myanmar to India due to lockdown.

Never in the history of coastal areca nut market, has the price for new areca nut reached Rs 300 per kilo. Since the past 10 days, areca nut is being bought by CAMPCO at the rate of Rs 300 and Rs 320 for new and old stocks respectively. Private dealers are offering Rs 318 per kg for new areca nut. However, areca nut growers are not selling their produce. That is why the rate of areca nut is under control now. Market experts say that the price of areca nut might reach a record Rs 350 per kg.