30-07-2025
Export of Kumbakonam betel leaves goes up
The volume of export of Kumbakonam betel leaves, which hold an indispensable association with Tamil culture and social customs, to Middle East and South Asian countries has gone up sharply.
The betel leaves, which are grown in the Cauvery Delta region specifically in regions like Thiruvaiyaru, Papanasam, Thiruvidaimarudhur, Kumbakonam, and Valaigaman blocks of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, are commonly referred to as Kumbakonam betel leaves.
According to the vegetable and fruit exporters based in Tiruchi, the volume of betel leaves export, especially Kumbakonam betel leaves, is going up steadily every month. The volume of export, which was below one tonne in 2021, has gone up to two tonnes per day. The export volume goes up to four to five tonnes during important festival times such as Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil New Year and others.
The leaves have a shelf-life of just a day in Middle East countries as the leaves become dry within 24 hours due to the high heat climatic condition. Hence, the exporters prefer to send the leaves in specially made containers by cargo from Tiruchi airport daily.
There are exporters, who prefer to export the betel leaves to England, France and Germany through the connecting flights from Qatar.
In addition to the Tamil diaspora, exporters say the native citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and others have adapted to the practice of having 'sweet beeda', which is made up of betel leaves, nuts, honey and a few other ingredients, after their meal. The practice has gained popularity especially among people, who eat 'briyani' in the Middle East countries.
'We witness a steady increase in volume of Kumbakonam betel leaves exported from Tiruchi airport. The change is visible in the post COVID-19 period. People in the Middle East and other countries consider the betel leaves to possess excellent medicinal properties. It is the main reason for the increase in the volume of export,' says G. Satish Kumar of the Importers and Exporters Federation, Tiruchi.
Jerald, another exporter from Tiruchi, said that the importers invariably insist on the supply of high quality betel leaves, that are grown in the Delta region. Hence, he had employed a team of people to source betel leaves from Kumbakonam, Thiruvaiyaru and neighbouring places.
Mr. Kumar said that the Geographical Identification tag on Kumbakonam betel leaves was likely to boost export further in the near future.
