Bullish trend in the white arecanut market for the past six months has pushed the prices of not only the best quality but low quality as well.
Prices of a low quality white arecanut called ‘pathora’ (arecanut with hairline cracks) has jumped by 56-64 per cent in the past six-and-half months. According to sources in Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd., the prices of ‘pathora’ have now gone up to Rs. 250-270 a kg from Rs. 160-165 a kg in January.
It was an indication of scarcity of produce in the market, sources told The Hindu . The last highest price for ‘pathora’ was in August 2013 when it touched Rs. 90-100 a kg.
Ramesh Kainthaje, an arecanut grower, said some farmers even sold ‘pathora’ for Rs. 290 a kg to private traders a few days ago. “I do not remember ‘pathora’ getting this high a price ever,” he said. Sources said manufacturers of pan masala prefer blending ‘pathora’ with red variety of arecanut. As the red variety was costlier than best and low quality white arecanut, the manufactures have begun mixing 30-40 per cent of white arecanut with red variety, pushing the prices of all varieties of white arecanut irrespective of quality.
Sources said that ‘pathora’ constituted usually five to 10 per cent of a quintal of arecanut harvested by growers here. Manchi Srinivasa Achar, president, All India Areca Growers’ Association, Puttur, said ‘pathora’ prices this year surpassed the prices of the best quality of arecanut last year.
