CAMPCO Marks 53 Years: From Farmer Distress to Chocolate Giant

Anirudh Jain - Kolkata Bureau Jul 11, 2026 2,300 Views

Celebrating 53 years, CAMPCO has evolved from a small farmers' safety net to India’s third-largest chocolate manufacturer. Founded in 1973 to save arecanut growers from market instability, the cooperative pioneered cocoa cultivation and processing, creating a vertically integrated model that supports over 150,000 farmers across Karnataka and Kerala today.

The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative (CAMPCO) celebrates over five decades of transforming India’s agricultural landscape through farmer empowerment and industrial innovation.

MANGALURU — Fifty-three years ago, a severe market collapse left arecanut farmers across Karnataka and Kerala in economic turmoil, with prices plummeting and livelihoods at risk. On July 11, 1973, under the leadership of visionary agriculturist Varanashi Subraya Bhat, these farmers united to form the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Ltd. (CAMPCO). Today, the institution stands as a testament to the power of cooperative enterprise, having evolved from a regional safety net into one of India’s most significant industrial players in the chocolate and confectionery sector.

A Strategic Pivot to Cocoa

The early 1970s marked a period of extreme hardship for arecanut growers. To diversify income streams and reduce dependence on a single crop, CAMPCO’s leadership encouraged farmers to adopt cocoa as an intercrop. This strategic pivot not only stabilized the farmers' economic foundation but also paved the way for the cooperative's entry into the processing industry.

By 1986, the organization made a transformative leap by establishing a state-of-the-art chocolate manufacturing facility in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada. The factory, which was inaugurated by then-President Giani Zail Singh, allowed CAMPCO to move up the value chain—transitioning from merely selling raw beans to becoming a major manufacturer of cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and finished chocolate products.

Scaling Industrial Success

Over the last five decades, CAMPCO has become the third-largest chocolate manufacturer in India, trailing only global giants Cadbury and Nestle. The cooperative’s Puttur factory has grown into one of the largest in Southeast Asia, with a production capacity that reached 18,000 tonnes annually by 2016. Its high-quality cocoa butter, chocolate compounds, and mass are currently sourced by some of the world’s most recognizable food brands, including Amul, Britannia, ITC, Parle, and Hershey’s, to create various consumer goods, from biscuits and ice creams to health beverages.

"CAMPCO was built on the foundation of empowerment," a company spokesperson noted, reflecting on the institution’s journey. By maintaining rigorous quality standards—adhering to FSSAI, ISO, and Halal certifications—the cooperative has ensured that Indian cocoa beans can compete on the international stage with leading producers like Ghana and Brazil.

Impact on Rural Economy

The cooperative has remained true to its founding mission of protecting smallholder farmers. With over 150,000 members and a network of 156 branches, CAMPCO provides a stable market for growers, shielding them from the volatile price fluctuations that characterized the industry in the pre-1973 era. Beyond arecanut and cocoa, the cooperative has further diversified into trading black pepper, rubber, and coconut oil, ensuring a robust support system for its farmer-members.

Official Sources

According to official company filings and the cooperative’s historical records, CAMPCO was founded under Section 7 of the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act. The institution operates as a multi-state cooperative venture between the governments of Karnataka and Kerala. Its long-term commitment to quality and farmer welfare remains its core directive as it continues to expand its footprint in the agricultural marketing of India.

Why It Matters

CAMPCO’s success serves as a scalable model for agricultural cooperatives globally. By bridging the gap between raw agricultural production and high-value industrial manufacturing, it has demonstrated that farmer-led organizations can successfully challenge multinational corporations while prioritizing member welfare. This integration has not only provided "price security" for thousands of families but has also placed Indian-grown cocoa on the map of the global confectionery industry.

Key Facts at a Glance

Foundation: Established on July 11, 1973, in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
Founder: Late Sri Varanashi Subraya Bhat.
Industrial Milestone: The chocolate manufacturing plant in Puttur was established in 1986.
Market Position: Currently India's third-largest producer of chocolate-based products.
Reach: Operates 156 branches and serves over 150,000 farmer members.

FAQ Section

What was the primary reason for CAMPCO's formation? It was established to support arecanut farmers during a severe price crash in 1970–71 that threatened their livelihoods.
Does CAMPCO only make chocolate for its own brand? No, while it has its own signature line of chocolates, it also produces high-quality cocoa mass and butter for major brands like Britannia, ITC, and Amul.
How has the cooperative helped farmers? By providing guaranteed procurement, fair pricing, and encouraging the cultivation of cocoa and pepper as intercrops to diversify income.
Is CAMPCO still focused solely on arecanut? No, the cooperative has expanded significantly into cocoa processing, rubber, pepper, and coconut oil trading.