Comments
The year 2011 left cardamom growers disappointed, but it brought cheers to pepper growers. Similarly, cloves and nutmeg growers also had something to treasure in the year.
The worst hit in 2011, as far as the spice growers in Kerala are concerned are the cardamom growers. It wasn't a bright year for them. Prices of the aromatic spice dropped to one-third of what growers got in 2010. Favourable weather conditions led to non-stop auctions in 2011 resulting in a continuous flow of it from uninterrupted harvesting until the middle of December.
Consequently, arrivals were double of what came to the auctions in 2010. The total arrivals as on Dec 28 were at 8,270 tonnes, whereas they were at around 4,140 tonnes on the same date in 2010.
The arrivals per week were much more than what the domestic market could absorb and that led to supply outstripping the demand.
However, export demand played a key role in arresting the prices from falling to below Rs 500 a kg.
In fact, against the set target of 1,500 tonnes valued at Rs 120 crore by the Board for the fiscal 2011-2012, in seven months of the fiscal, total exports touched 2,300 tonnes, valued at Rs 195.75 crore at a unit value of Rs 851.07 a kg during April-October. During the corresponding period in 2010, it was at 470 tonnes valued at Rs 54.60 crore at a unit price of Rs 1,161.67 a kg.
Total output in 2010 was nearly half of the estimated output in 2011, which is estimated at around over 16,000 tonnes. It would have been more had there not been disruption in harvesting in Dec because of the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
The blockade and violent agitations across the border stopped movement of cardamom from the growing areas in Kerala's Idukki district to the main trading centre, Bodinayakannur in Tamil Nadu.
At the same time, this predicament resulted in depriving an estimated 30,000 workers of their jobs and about 1,000 jeep-taxi operators of their daily income. Around 60 per cent of the estate owners, natives of Cumbum and Theni, had also to stay away as their plantations are in Kerala's Idukki dstrict
CHEERS FOR PEPPER
For the pepper growers, the year 2011 has been a period to cherish.
The prices of spot pepper for the first time in its history touched Rs 360 a kg for garbled and Rs 345 a kg for ungarbled on Dec 17, 2011 whereas the prices for these grades on the same day in 2010 were at Rs 213 and Rs 208 a kg respectively. Dec 31,2010).
In 2011, it has gradually moved up from the closing prices of Dec 31, 2010 and scaled new heights and remained above Rs 300 a kg from Sep onwards oscillating between Rs 310 and Rs 360 a kg. The growers were hoping that the prices might touch Rs 400 a kg but for the bear operators in the market, who torpedoed their hopes.
Other crops which had brought their growers good prices were cloves, nutmeg and mace. Indian demand for cloves is much greater than the indigenous production. Hence, the country is a net importer.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.