The Hindu Business Line : Favourable weather may boost turmeric output

THE country's turmeric production is likely to be good, given the favourable weather conditions prevailing in most of the growing States except for a few places in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The total production is estimated to be around 5.5-6 lakh tonnes (lt).

Turmeric is grown in 24 States with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, West Bengal, Gujarat, Meghalaya and Maharashtra being major producers. The total area under the crop is 1.5 lakh hectares.

The highest-ever production was in 2000-01, when 7,19,600 tonnes were produced from 1,87,430 hectares.

Though the heavy rains had caused 10 per cent spoilage in the crop in Erode district in Tamil Nadu, the production is expected to be 16-16.5 lakh bags (of 75 kg each).

Tamil Nadu accounts for 17 per cent of the country's output.

The price is likely to range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,200 a quintal, market observers told Business Line.

In Duggirain, the production is estimated at around 3.5 lakh bags.

Good crop is projected in the Nizamabad and Cuddapah region where the climate had been favourable.

The production in these two areas is estimated to be 16 lakh bags and 2.25 lakh bags respectively.

However, the `Kasturi' variety grown in Rajamundry region has been damaged by the rains and, hence, its production is estimated to be around one lakh tonnes.

Production in Warangal and Kesamudram region is estimated at around four lakh bags.

Production in Maharashtra and Orissa and Bihar is also estimated to be good.

It is projected that the production would be around six lakh bags in Maharashtra, while in Orissa and Bihar it is estimated to be around 1.25 lakh bags each.

In the world turmeric market, India still continues to enjoy a monopoly.

Exports on the rise: With turmeric gaining attention for its medicinal properties, its exports continue to show an upward trend this year.

During April-September of the current fiscal, 27,800 tonnes valued at Rs 87.14 crore were exported as against 23,829 tonnes worth Rs 88.95 crore in the same period the previous year.

Shipments of turmeric from the country, which was a meagre 2,310 tonnes valued at Rs 25.84 lakh in 1960-61 had soared to 44,627 tonnes valued at Rs 115.58 crore in 2000-01.

From 1998-99, the exports continued to remain over 30,000 tonnes a year.