With turmeric prices ruling lower, growers are unwilling to sell their produce at prevailing prices, resulting in lower arrivals.

“Farmers are not willing to sell at current prices. At the same time, demand too is slack as orders from North India have not yet flowed,” said R.K.V. Ravishankar, President, Erode Turmeric Merchants Association.

On Tuesday, some stockists were seen procuring reasonable quantity.

But with most farmers not wanting to sell at lower prices, only 50 per cent of the 3,000 bags that arrived was sold.

As many farmers are busy with agricultural operations, only a limited number are turning up for the sale. A few farmers say that they would rather wait for a month than sell at current price of Rs 5,600 a quintal. Only those in dire need of money are selling.

Prices in other centres such as Nizamabad in Andhra Pradesh and Sangli in Mahrashtra are also ruling low.

In Tuesday’s sale, traders purchased hybrid variety by offering higher price based on quality. The price of the finger variety increased at the Gobichettipalayam Cooperative Marketing Society sale, but it decreased at the Erode Cooperative Marketing society. At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association sales yard, the finger variety was sold at Rs 3,496-5,695 a quintal, the root variety at Rs 3,196-5,059.

Salem Hybrid Crop : The finger variety was sold at Rs 4,519-6,279, root variety at Rs 4,404-5,576. Of the 627 bags that arrived, 312 were sold.

At the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,779-5,889, the root variety at Rs 4,663-5,280. Of the 535 on offer, 426 found takers.

At the Erode Cooperative Marketing society, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,796-5,890 . The root variety was sold at Rs 4,329-5,199. Of 781 bags put up for sale, 773 were traded.

At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative Marketing society, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,609-5,867, the root variety Rs 4,769-5,163. All the 171 bags on offer were picked up.

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