CAMPCO ensured remunerative, stable prices for arecanut growers, says its outgoing president Kishore Kumar Kodgi

Stating that Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd. (CAMPCO), Mangaluru, ensured remunerative and stable prices for arecanut even in volatile markets, its outgoing president Kishore Kumar Kodgi said here on November 29 that prices of ‘chali’(white arecanut) jumped by about 50 per cent in six years.

Addressing the press, Mr. Kodgi said that prices of ‘hosa adike’ (new stocks) went up from ₹240-320 per k.g. in 2020 to ₹360-485 per k.g. in 2025, which is a 50 to 51.56 per cent hike.

He said prices of ‘chol’(one-year-old stock) arecanut jumped from ₹320-380 per k.g. to ₹360-525 per k.g. during the same period, which is a 12.5 to 38.16 per cent increase.

Mr. Kodgi said that prices of ‘kempu adike’ (red variety of arecanut) went up from ₹350-398 per k.g. to ₹545-585 per k.g. (55.71 to 46.98 per cent jump) in six years.

All these rates are the ones CAMPCO offered to its farmer members while purchasing arecanut from them.

Referring to the financial performance of the multi-State cooperative of Karnataka and Kerala, Mr. Kodgi said that the cooperative’s turnover, which stood at ₹2,134 crore in 2020-21, went up to ₹3,631.91 crore in 2024-25. This is a 70.19 per cent hike.

“From the grassroots to the highest levels of Union and State governments, the CAMPCO Board of Management has left no stone unturned in championing the cause of farmers,” he said.

Despite market volatility caused by illegal imports and GST-evading private traders, CAMPCO stood firmly with growers through every challenge, the outgoing president said.

He said arecanut has been classified as carcinogenic, creating widespread concern among growers and stakeholders. CAMPCO has been proactively working to challenge this classification.

“We are compiling scientific research papers, engaging with experts, and preparing evidence-backed submissions to demonstrate that arecanut, in its natural form, is non-carcinogenic,” Mr. Kodgi said.

He added that the international agencies have responded, asking for scientific data supporting the non-carcinogenic nature of arecanut. This is essential for initiating a formal review.

Mr. Kodgi said that CAMPCO has sought the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) recognition for a moisture content level of 11 ± 0.5 per cent as safe for the storage and marketing of dried arecanut, as against the currently permitted 7 per cent, which is scientifically unsuitable for natural arecanut.

“Following our representation, the FSSAI has conducted online consultations with CAMPCO and other stakeholders to examine this issue in detail,” he said.

The other outgoing Board of Directors of the cooperative were present.

The new Board of Directors have been elected, while the president and vice-president of CAMPCO will be elected on December 2.