The Hindu Business Line : Cardamom prices up

There was good upcountry demand after the festival season in North India. The dealers who have exhausted their inventories are buying now. The arrivals have started shrinking now as the harvesting has reached its final stage while major growers are said to be holding back their produce. Arrivals at the initial weeks of the season were heavy as the farmers fearing further fall in prices kept on selling their crop, said Mr P.C. Punnoose, General Manager, Cardamom Processing and Marketing Company, Kumily.

Picking was also in the final rounds and it was expected to be over by the end of January, he said.

According to Mr Devassy, President, Cardamom Growers Association, Vandanmedu, though there was severe drought in the summer last year, adequate monsoon showers that followed helped the plants to give better yields. Hence, production was estimated to be around 11,000 because of the favourable weather conditions.

Sales would continue till end March even after the end of harvesting in January, he said.

Around 3,000 tonne of cardamom must have been sold through direct sales, he told Business Line.

Unlike in the past, this season the prices dipped in the initial weeks of harvesting and that had put the farmers in serious financial crisis. The average price, he said, was expected to touch Rs 400 a kg. Superior variety 8 mm green bold is currently fetching Rs 490, he said. Bulk price was around Rs 350 a kg now, he said.

The total arrivals during the current season up stood at 3,088 tonne and of which 2,896 tonne were sold. Last season from the total arrivals 3,029 tonne 2,776 tonne were sold. The weighted average price was 203.25 a kg as against Rs 381.99 last season.

Prices of graded varieties were AGEB Rs 400 - 410, AGB Rs 330 - 340, AGS Rs 315 - 325 and AGS 1 Rs 290 - 300 a kg.

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