The Hindu Business Line : 30 pc fall likely in cardamom output

PREVAILING drought conditions in the major cardamom belt in Kerala's Idukki district are likely to adversely hit its production during the current season.

Official sources in the field told Business Line that there could be a drop of 30 per cent in Kerala, which produces over 70 per cent of the total cardamom produced in the country. Production in Kerala during last season was estimated at around 7,000 tonnes while that of Karnataka about 2,000 tonnes and Tamil Nadu 1,000 tonnes.

Drought conditions prevailed the major growing area in the Vandanmedu region of Idukki district. However, in certain other areas in the district there were intermittent rains and as a result the crop was good, the sources said.

Vagaries of weather this year had also brought down the availability of bold capsules of 8mm, for which there is a good demand, market sources in Kumily and Bodinayakannur said on Tuesday.

According to them, there is a demand for over 20 tonnes of bold varieties from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and the traders are finding it difficult to meet the demand because of short supply. Non-availability of this variety has pushed the prices at the recent auctions up to Rs 727 per kg. Given this situation, the demand for medium variety AGEB (6 - 7 mm) is also on the upward trend and that has pushed up its prices also.

The exporters were also active in the market as they are having some orders in hand. "There was some good buying by exporters and it is expected that exports would pick up this month", they pointed out.

Auctions for the current season had begun on August 27 and the arrivals at the auction centres, on an average, were 25 to 30 tonnes, which include carry forward stock from the previous season, they said. Unlike in the past there was no stoppage of auctions in the lean season this year as one of the auctioneers conducted auctions during this period.

Meanwhile, the prices of medium bulk and good quality bulk at Bodinayakannur were Rs 350 - Rs 360 and Rs 400 - Rs 450 per kg respectively. The prices of graded varieties on Tuesday were AGEB Rs 550 to Rs 560, AGB Rs 375 to Rs 385, AGS Rs 350 to Rs 360 and AGS 1 Rs 315 to Rs 325 per kg.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Sprouting anew

Buyer resistance keeps rubber flat

Tea Board begins trial run of e-trading portal

Heritage promoters consolidate holding

Farm Ministry sees grains output at record level

Scientists find Bt cotton mixed with other varieties

30 pc fall likely in cardamom output

Pepper steady on buying support

Cancellation of pepper exporters' regn — Kerala HC asks Centre to decide in 3 months

Lessons from the failure at Cancun