The Hindu Business Line : Cardamom output seen 30 pc lower

Cardamom production during the current season (July 2006-June 2007) is likely to be lower by 30-35 per cent compared with last year on erratic weather conditions this year, according to Mr T. Ashok Kumar, President of Kerala Cardamom Growers Association. Production last season has been estimated at 13,000 tonnes.

Though the plantations received summer showers in May, the weather changed in June with a dry spell, which adversely affected the crop.

Added to this was high velocity winds accompanied by heavy downpour in early July, which destroyed the plants in several estates in the cardamom-growing tracts in Idukki district, which produces over 75 per cent of the commodity in the country.

The unfavourable weather conditions negatively affected the pollination process too, as a result of which the size of the capsules had been reduced, he added.On the other hand, low prices during the past couple of seasons coupled with high input cost had left the farmers with no funds to undertake intensive agricultural and farm management practices, which in turn would reduce the yield during the current season, he said.

Arrivals lapped up

Meanwhile, the season's first cardamom auction was jointly held in Kumily on Wednesday by Cardamom Processing and Marketing Company Ltd (CPMC) and Kerala Cardamom Producers Marketing Co-operative Society Ltd (KCPMC).

The arrivals at the auction stood at 58 tonnes and the entire quantity was sold.

In all, 82 traders representing dealers in North India and other parts of the country actively participated at the auction, Mr P.C. Punnoose, General Manager of CPMC, told Business Line. Exporters bought about five tonnes. The highest price of Rs 425 a kg was fetched by 8 mm green bold capsules, while 7 mm with fast colour was sold at Rs 330 and those with less colour fetched Rs 290.

The price of 6.5 mm colour was Rs 260, while current bulk fetched Rs 230-240. The average price was Rs 221.

Officially, the new season begins from August 1. According to official sources, total arrivals up to July stood at 9,622 tonnes against 5,122 tonnes in the same period last season.

Sales as on July 6 were at 8,991 tonnes compared to 4,783 tonnes in the corresponding previous period.

The weighted average price remained at Rs 215.18 a kg against Rs 303.05 earlier.

STCL had held its auction at Bodinayakannur on July 6, where 14 tonnes of fresh cardamom were sold, while another was held at Nedumkandam in Idukki district on July 10 by Header Systems.