Mangalore: The price of areca nut, a type of betel nut, is rising in India due to a combination of factors. Here’s a breakdown of the situation: 

• Supply Shortage: Growers are holding onto their stock, leading to a shortage in the market. This can be attributed to several reasons: 

• Climate Change: Recently, extreme weather events like drought have impacted production. 
• Earlier Sales: Some growers may have already sold a significant portion of their harvest, leaving less available stock. 
• Drought Concerns: Ongoing drought conditions in some regions raise fears of further production decline. 

• Price Increase: The red variety of areca nut has seen a significant price jump, with the Rashi variety reaching a peak of ₹536 per kg in critical markets. This is a 10% increase compared to just a month ago. 
• Stable White Arecanut Prices: Prices for white arecanut have remained relatively stable, with a slight increase observed. 
• Factors Contributing to Stability: 

• Campco Procurement Halt: The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) temporarily suspended procurement in March, potentially affecting overall supply. 
• Curbed Illegal Imports: Reducing illegal agricultural imports during elections may have helped stabilize the domestic market. 

Looking Ahead: 

Agriculture industry stakeholders are concerned about climate change’s future impact on production. The current price increase might benefit growers in the short term, but long-term sustainability requires addressing climate concerns and ensuring a stable supply chain.