Reports of turmeric being cultivated in Assam and the crop being harvested now sent markets in Erode into a tizzy on Thursday.

“Over three lakh bags harvested in Assam are likely to be sent to Delhi and Karnataka markets, we are told,” said Mr R.K.V. Ravishankar, President of Erode Turmeric Merchants' Association.

If such arrivals reach north Indian towns, turmeric prices will drop further as no merchant there will place orders for the Erode crop. Further, the arrival of hybrid varieties has decreased and only lower quality turmeric is coming for sale, he said. Prices of hybrid varieties of turmeric decreased by Rs 450 a quintal.

“There is no possibility of prices rising now, as arrivals in all markets have increased. In Erode, the arrival was around 12,000 bags. Further, 70 lakh bags still remain with farmers,,” said Mr Ravishankar.

At the Erode Turmeric Merchants' Association sales yard, the finger variety sold at Rs 2,300-3,536 a quintal, and the root variety, at Rs 2,229-3,439.

Salem crop : The finger variety sold at Rs 3,369-3,669, and the root variety, at Rs 3,169-3,498. Of the 632 bags that arrived, 401 were sold.

At the Regulated Marketing Committee, the finger variety sold at Rs 3,229-3,571, and the root variety, at Rs 3,164-3,434. Of the 1,188 bags that arrived, 1,133 were sold.

At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety fetched Rs 2,801-3,610, and the root variety, Rs 2,772-3,440.

Of the 1,047 bags kept for sales, 1,030 were sold.

At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety sold at Rs 3,039-3,716, and the root variety, at Rs 2,869-3,426. All the 353 bags of turmeric kept for sale were sold.

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