Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Apr 28: Areca nut farmers of the coastal region are holding back the produce expecting the prices to soar in the market due to lockdown. When there was a lockdown throughout the country last year, the areca nut price had skyrocketed. So the farmers are expecting the same this time around also.

Last year, before the lockdown the price of areca nut in the market was less than Rs 250. However, after the lockdown was announced it jumped to Rs 500. The main reason was the increase in demand from North India. Because the areca nut producers are not releasing it in the market which might create scarcity also.

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Areca nut produce is ready for harvest now. Some farmers have already sold their crop. However, many stopped bringing the produce to the market as soon as they came to know that lockdown will be announced in the state. This attitude of the areca nut producers of the coastal region has already caused a scarcity in the market.

Experts of the areca nut market say that if the same situation continues, North Indians might import the areca nut from other countries.