Cardamom production this season is estimated to be 11,000-12,000 tonnes, almost steady compared to the last season. Harvesting, which is much earlier this time, is active now and will go on till the end of September.
According to market experts, the supply would not be short this year, as last season’s stock is pouring into the market now. The market expected a price tag of Rs 2,000 a kg during the off season, hence leading to stocking. To the dismay of farmers, the stock this year is expected to be around 20,000 tonnes and would ensure regular supply through the year.
The market intelligence wing of Kerala Agriculture University had earlier projected a price tag of Rs 2,000a kg. Hence, a major chunk of last season’s stock was carried over to this season. This has boomeranged as prices have crashed heavily. The average price in major auction centers dropped to Rs 650-690 a kg as against Rs 1,000, a year before. In August 2010, auction centres quoted an average price of Rs 1,205 a kg and in September, this was Rs 1,340.
Meanwhile, the heavy rainfall for the past three weeks has affected the harvesting badly in most parts of Idduki district in Kerala. Due to this, fungus infection has developed in plantations, which destroys fresh offshoots. Growers told Business Standard that further rain might risk the crop this time and the next rounds of harvesting would also depend on the climatic conditions.