Date:12/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/12/stories/2007091250891300.htm

Back Arecanut improves on import curbs

Aravindan

Kottayam, Sept. 11 The arecanut situation in Kerala has slightly improved following the reports that the DGFT has allowed the import of all types of arecanut through Mangalore Port only.

It is also learnt that Campco is likely to be asked to supervise the quality standards of the imported material. Meanwhile, the reports about the low volumes of import at present has helped the market to pick up at a slow pace.

Offering scope

Though the demand is low compared to last year, the emerging change in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the manufacturing sector offers scope for better days ahead. The arrival is also reported to be meagre as a result of the continuing rains in plantations and diseases like yellow leaf etc affecting some areas. The current price is Rs 65-70 a kg.

So far the import without giving any importance to the quality aspects has done much harm to the industry. Once the floor price is fixed, there could be improvement in prices, traders said.