Edappal: Rising areca nut prices have brought renewed hope to areca nut farmers, who were struggling in recent years due to crop disease and a prolonged slump in the market.

The price of high-quality, aged areca nut (kottadakka) has increased by about Rs 100 per kg in the past few days. After peaking at Rs 450 per kg a year ago and later falling, prices have now climbed to Rs 495–520 per kg.

The price of new areca nut has also risen to around Rs 400 per kg, translating to Rs 40,000–50,000 per quintal. Rates for varieties such as Karinkott, Ulli and Fottor have likewise increased.

Ripe areca nuts are processed by drying them in the sun and storing them for several months before breaking them. They are then sorted into categories such as first grade, second grade, Ulli, Fottor and Karinkott. New-season nuts are dried and processed before sale. Areca nuts with a fully intact shell that remains firm when peeled are classified as Ulli; the outer portion of the shell is known as Fottor, while the thin, black variety is called Karinkott.

Areca nut is widely used in the paint and packaging industries. Traders say rising demand from paint manufacturers and the expansion of the painting sector as a source of employment have contributed to higher consumption of areca nut.

Farmers have suffered significant losses in recent years due to leaf spot and Mahali diseases affecting areca palms. Many plantations were abandoned during periods of low prices, leading to a decline in production.

The market is also heavily influenced by imports. A drop in imported supply has caused shortages in North India, which has in turn pushed up prices in Kerala.