The Hindu Business Line : Cardamom offtake may rise as ban on pan masala goes

Ever since the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh Governments imposed a ban on the manufacture and sale of these products, there has been a sharp decline in offtake by the pan masala industry.

According to cardamom traders in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the annual demand by this segment was around 1,000 tonnes. "Once they are back in the business, the demand would definitely go up," they said.

A meeting of cardamom auctioneers, traders and growers was held at the Spices Board early this week to discuss about the auctions and the market trend.

At the meeting, it was decided that the auctions for the next season would commence by end-August or early September.

According to some of the auctioneers, the Cardamom Processing and Marketing Company, Kumily, would commence its first auction on August 17, while the Cardamom Marketing Corporation, Vandanmedu would hold it on August 21.

MAS Enterprises, Vandanmedu and State Trading Corporation Ltd at Bodinayakannur did not suspend auctions during the lean period.

According to growers, production in Santhanpara and Munnar region in Idukki district is expected to be down by 25 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, while in Bodinayakannur area it would be around 10 per cent.

In Wayanad district, the production loss is likely to be offset by new plantations, which have started yielding this season. Thus, the overall decline in production is estimated at 15-20 per cent, they said.

The area under cardamom cultivation in the country has come down to 72,451 hectares now from 1,05,000 hectares in 1987. In spite of the decline in area under cultivation, production went up to 11,365 tonnes last year from 3,170 tonnes in 1987.

The participants at the meeting suggested that a delegation be sent to Japan and Saudi Arabia in September or October this year for promoting Indian cardamom.

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Cardamom offtake may rise as ban on pan masala goes