Campco Strengthens Farmer Earnings as Arecanut Prices Surge Over Five Years

Mangaluru, Nov. 29, 2025 

 The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd has emerged as a stabilising force for arecanut growers, consistently ensuring fair and reliable prices despite significant market turbulence over the last five years, said its President, Kishore Kumar Kodgi, on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Kodgi highlighted that Campco’s intervention has been crucial in protecting growers from price shocks caused by illegal imports and tax-evading private traders.

Steady Price Growth Despite Market Volatility

According to Kodgi, prices of both white and red arecanut varieties have witnessed notable growth between 2020 and 2025:

• White Arecanut (new stocks): up from ₹240–320/kg in 2020 to ₹360–485/kg in 2025
• White Arecanut (old stocks): up from ₹320–380/kg in 2020 to ₹360–525/kg in 2025
• Red Arecanut: up from ₹350–398/kg in 2020 to ₹545–585/kg in 2025

He noted that Campco’s consistent procurement and market support mechanisms played a central role in maintaining these remunerative prices.

Turnover Rises Nearly 70%

Campco’s financial performance has also mirrored this upward trajectory. The cooperative’s turnover rose from ₹2,134.15 crore in 2020-21 to ₹3,631 crore in 2024-25, marking close to a 70% increase. Over these five years, Campco recorded profits of approximately ₹210 crore, reinforcing what Kodgi described as growing trust in the brand among growers.

Addressing Disease Outbreaks in Plantations

Kodgi said the cooperative worked with agricultural institutions, scientists, and farmer groups to study and combat the surge of yellow leaf disease and leaf spot disease in arecanut plantations across Karnataka and Kerala. This multi-agency approach aimed to provide growers with scientific insights and practical mitigation strategies.

Successful Push for Fairer Import Rules

Referring to the recent amendments to import policies, Kodgi explained that some traders had been bringing in roasted arecanut by misusing alternate HSN codes, distorting market prices. Campco’s persistent advocacy led the government to tighten norms:

• Imports under ITC (HS) codes 08028090 and 20081920 shifted from “Free” to “Prohibited”
• Imports are permitted only if CIF value is ₹351/kg or above

These changes helped increase the minimum import price from ₹251/kg to ₹351/kg, offering stronger protection to domestic growers.

Infrastructure Expansion and Digital Transformation

To meet future operational needs, Campco has purchased land in Hebri, Vittal, Kadaba, Alankar, and Puttur. Properties worth around ₹40 crore have been acquired, and roughly ₹17 crore invested in new infrastructure, renovations, and building maintenance.

On the digital front, Kodgi said the Campco Saksham ERP system, developed with Infor India Pvt Ltd, went live in April 2024. A dedicated mobile application for growers is also in the pipeline, offering real-time market prices, crop care guidance, and expert advisory services.