The Hindu Business Line : Bodi auction: Cardamom arrivals at 47 tonnes

Another auctioneer MAS Enterprises, which has not yet announced suspension, might also pull its shutters down, as the arrivals have become very thin, auction sources told Business Line. The first auction of the next season might be held in mid-August depending upon the commencement of harvesting.

Total arrivals at the Bodi auction stood at 47 tonnes .

The previous auction was held on June 1. The maximum price fetched was Rs 439 a kg. The capsules were of good quality and hence were sold at good prices.

The average price was somewhere between Rs 360 - 370 a kg. Upcountry buyers, considering it the last auction, were active. However, there was no export buying.

The total arrivals during the current season up to June 6 stood at 8,128 tonnes while the total sales were at 7,471 tonnes. During the same period last season the total arrivals were at 9,410 tonnes and sales 8,786 tonnes. Thus, there was a sharp fall of 1,282 tonnes in arrivals and 1,315 tonnes in sales, official sources said.

The prices of graded varieties as on June 2 were AGEB Rs 450 - Rs 460, AGB Rs 390 - Rs 400, AGS Rs 370 - Rs 380 and AGS 1 Rs 325 - Rs 335 a kg. Prices in the open market at Bodinayakannur were AGEB Rs 440 - Rs 450, AGB Rs 370 - Rs 380, AGS Rs 360 - Rs 365 and AGS1 Rs 290 - Rs 300. Bulk was being sold at Rs 350 - Rs 440 a kg.

Unfavourable weather conditions continue in the growing areas and that might not only adversely affect the next crop output but also delay harvesting , growers claimed.