India’s Arecanut Imports Rise Sharply as Exports Lag Behind
India’s dependence on imported arecanut has surged over the past decade, with import volumes and values far outpacing export growth, according to official data. While exports showed only marginal growth, imports have remained high despite a 100% import duty, highlighting rising reliance on foreign arecanut. In 2024-25, India exported 2,396.26 MT worth Rs 105.84 crore, compared with imports of 42,236.02 MT valued at Rs 1,208.34 crore, making import value more than 11 times higher than exports.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Indonesia were the top sources of imports, while Indian exports primarily went to Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The Commerce Ministry has promoted exports through infrastructure support, quality improvement, and participation in international trade events, but domestic demand has limited export growth. Most Indian arecanut is consumed locally for panmasala, paints, and other industries, restricting the pace of shipments abroad.
India remains the world’s largest producer of arecanut, accounting for around 63% of global production. In 2023–24, the country produced approximately 14 lakh tonnes from 9.49 lakh hectares, with Karnataka leading production at 10 lakh tonnes. Despite being a top producer, sustained high imports indicate a growing trade imbalance and continued dependence on foreign arecanut.
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