Cardamom market was subdued following the suspension of auctions for a week by the auctioneers.
The auctions will resume from July 8, auction sources said. However, trading in the open markets in Bodinayakannur in Tamil Nadu and the primary markets in Kerala’s Idukki and Wayanad districts took place in a small way.
Small quantities of fresh crop, reportedly of inferior quality, were traded, market sources in Bodinayakannur told
According to the growers, weather conditions have not improved as expected since major cardamom growing tracts such as Kumily, Kattappana and Vandanmettu are yet to receive the usual South-West monsoon rain.
However, prevailing weather conditions, some of the growers said, are suitable for agriculture and hence the cardamom crop would be normal this year.
According to them, incessant rains would accelerate diseases in plants, whereas, intermittent showers punctuated by sunshine keep the plant healthy and with sufficient wet conditions required by it.
Therefore, there is unlikely any crop loss during the current season, they claimed.
During the current season of the crop ending this month, arrivals were 21,134 tonnes against 15,040 tonnes during the same period a year ago.
Sales were 20,496 tonnes against 14,409 tonnes
The weighted average price as on June 29 was ₹645.31 ( ₹700.72) a kg.
Prices of all graded varieties (₹/kg): AGEB 950-960; AGB 790-800; AGS 760-770 and AGS-1:740-750.