The Hindu Business Line : Marginal rise in cardamom prices

Export buying was totally negligible. However, local dealers and north Indian buyers were active. Meanwhile, the arrivals have started declining as 75 per cent of the crop has been harvested.

Total arrivals during the current season up to February 1 stood at the highest-ever volume of 6,350 tonnes compared with 3,489 tonnes during the corresponding period last season. Sales in the season through auctions stood at 5,939 tonnes against 3,239 tonnes. The weighted average price was Rs 222.21 a kg for the current season compared with Rs 305.03.

Prices of graded varieties were: AGEB Rs 300-310 a kg; AGB Rs 215 - 220; AGS Rs 195 - 200 and AGS 1 Rs 185 - 195 per kg. Local prices in Bodinayakannur on Thursday were AGEB Rs 300 - 310, AGB Rs 200-210, AGS Rs 195 - 200 and AGS 1 Rs 175 - 180 per kg. Running bulk was sold at Rs 200-240.

At the auction held on Wednesday at Kumily by the Cardamom Processing and Marketing Company (CPMC), 9 mm bold capsules arrived probably for the first time during the current season. It fetched the highest price of Rs 450 a kg, while 8 mm bold was sold at Rs 352. The 7 mm bold green colour fetched Rs 280 - 300. Running bulk was sold at Rs 210 - 225, while sick variety at Rs 150 - 165.

The entire arrivals of 54.5 tonnes were sold out, Mr P.C. Punnoose, General Manager, CPMC, told Business Line. He said north Indian buyers were active. "Market is showing an upward trend. Demand started picking up in a small way," he added.

Mr Punnoose said around 25 per cent of the crop was left now and harvesting would continue till April. If the growing areas in the State received summer rains for one or two days every month like last year, then there may not be a break in the crop, he said.