Lack of adequate upcountry orders due to quality concerns is dragging the prices of turmeric. The trade awaits upcountry orders when the prices may rise .

“Traders are very much awaiting fresh North Indian orders. Usually for the past several years the turmeric traders will get fresh bulk orders from March 10 to June, when every day more than 10,000 bags will be purchased. But this year everyone expects that they may get fresh orders within couple of days,” said R.K.V. Ravishankar, President, Erode Turmeric Merchants Association.

Every year during this period the farmers used to bring more than 15,000 bags of turmeric, but now they fetch only 3,500-5,000 bags due to decline in production and also low prices.

At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association, the finger variety (New Crop) was sold at Rs 4,188-6,664; the root variety Rs 4,016-5,699.

Salem Hybrid crop: The finger variety fetched Rs 5,709-7,400 and the root variety Rs 5,506-6,211. At the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety ruled at Rs 5,637-6,400; the root variety Rs 4,950-5,870. Of the 522 bags arrived, 446 found takers.

At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety was sold at Rs 5,189-6,889; the root variety Rs 4,759-5,960. All the 414 bags were sold.

Published on March 5, 2013