Arecanut Imports Witness Sharp Decline Over Three Years

Quick Summary:

• The import value of arecanut has declined consistently over the last three financial years, as per the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

– $258.19 million in 2022-23.
– $147.99 million in 2023-24.
– $143.45 million in 2024-25.

• Arecanut is mainly imported from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Oman, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
• Jitin Prasada (Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry) reported there is no adverse impact on domestic market prices due too imports during January-June of both 2024 and 2025.

– Kozhikode market: ₹31,916.67/quintal (in 2024) -> ₹32,388.83/quintal (in 2025).
– Sirsi market: ₹36,316.17/quintal (in 2024) -> ₹37,856.67/quintal (in 2025).

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The consistent decline in the import value of arecanut indicates a potential shift in IndiaS trade dependency for this commodity and may reflect changes like improved domestic production or reduced demand for foreign arecanut varieties within India’s markets over recent years.

Domestic prices have demonstrated relative stability with modest growth despite declining imports-suggesting that consumers have not been significantly impacted by international supply shifts thus far.

this trend presents an opportunity for Indian farmers engaged in cultivating arecanuts to reap benefits from potentially reduced competition from global players while also raising considerations about maintaining competitiveness against quality standards offered by exporting nations.

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