Spot turmeric price decreased by Rs 200 a quintal with export orders still eluding traders and exporters in Erode.
“This is the first time that during Durga Puja, no orders were received from North India . Till last year Erode exporters and traders received good orders from Delhi, Maharashtra and Kolkata for the Pooja. In contrast to the tradition, this year no orders were received,” said R.K.V. Ravishankar, President, Erode Turmeric Merchants’ Association.
Traders said that many in North India have purchased stocks from Nizamabad (Andhra Pradesh) and Sangli (Maharashtra) due to lower prices.
A few North Indian traders placed orders for 10 or 15 quintals of fine variety turmeric a month ago with the Erode traders. Turmeric farmers are in distress due to poor sale and unremunerative price. On Monday, only 1,300 bags arrived for sale.
At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association Sales yard, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,106-5,529 a quintal, the root variety at Rs 3,829-4,919.
Salem Hybrid Crop: The finger variety was sold at Rs 4,827-5,911 and the root variety Rs 4,596-5,166. Of the 595 bags arrived, only 20 per cent stocks were sold.
At the Regulated Marketing Committee, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,419-5,332; the root variety Rs 4,411-5,069. Of the 490 bags that arrived, 250 were sold.
At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety fetched Rs 4,514-5,930; the root variety Rs 3,934-5,230. All the 254 bags on offer found takers. At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,117-5,684; the root variety Rs 3,472-5,119. All the 22 bags put up for sale were sold.
Four-Day Holiday: In connection with the Durga Puja, the Erode turmeric markets have declared four-day holiday from Tuesday to Friday and the next market would be conducted on October 29.