The Hindu Business Line : `Fix floor price for imported arecanut'

Mangalore June 8 Concerned over the large-scale import of arecanut to India, the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative (Campco) Ltd has reiterated its demand to fix a floor price for the imported arecanut.

A statement by the co-operative said the Union Government should fix a floor price of Rs 60-65 a kg on the imported arecanut.

Market Conditions

Though India is producing enough arecanut to meet the demands here, the commodity is being imported unabatedly from other countries. This has affected the market conditions in the country.

The release said the Centre had increased import duty on arecanut from 35 per cent to 100 per cent way back in 2000.

However, the traders undervalue the commodity at Rs 10-12 a kg and import it. Currently, the new stocks of white arecanut are traded in the range of Rs 65-70 a kg.

A delegation of various arecanut co-operatives had met the Union Agriculture Minister and the Union Commerce Minister a few months ago.

As a result of this, the Government had allowed imports only through New Mangalore Port.

However, some traders from Kolkata got a stay from the High Court against the order. Now arecanut is being imported on a large-scale in all ports, the release said.

Sources in the co-operative said that Indonesia grows around 1.25 lakh tonnes of white arecanut every year.

Of that, nearly 80,000 tonnes is exported to India.

Terming the quality of the imported arecanut as inferior, they said the imported commodity is flooding the domestic market affecting the prospects of growers in the country.

The release said the Government should appoint Campco or other co-operative institutions that have experience in arecanut marketing as a nodal agency to check the quality of the imported arecanut.

It also reiterated the demand that only New Mangalore Port be allowed to import arecanut.

More Stories on : Plantations | Exports & Imports

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Monsoon reaches N-E, picking strength

Inflation rate dips as primary items turn cheaper

Fertiliser stocks being positioned for kharif needs

`Fix floor price for imported arecanut'

Bears put spot rubber under pressure

Mixed trend at Kochi tea auction

Packing value

Uncertainty pulls down pepper futures

Traders not keen on e-auction in cardamom