Jaggery prices up on short supply

Jaggery prices in the Anakapalli market have been steadily rising due to short supply. During the current season, arrivals have dropped by about 550,000 lumps compared with the previous season.

"In 2007-08, we expected more jaggery but jaggery production slipped significantly owing to damage to sugarcane crop," K Buchi Raju, a jaggery trader, told Business Standard.

In the beginning of current season, ie, in August, A grade jaggery prices were Rs 95 per 10 kg and black jaggery (low grade) ruled at Rs 90 per 10 kg. Now, these have increased to Rs 134-135 and Rs 115 respectively. In February, low-grade jaggery prices had touched a high of Rs 122-123 per kg, though the price has now stabilised at Rs 115.

Last season, till February end, jaggery arrivals stood at 2.5 million lumps (each lump contains 15 kg), whereas in this season it was only 1.9 million lumps. Currently, 22,000-28,000 lumps come to the market daily, while normal arrivals in February and March were 35,000-40,000 lumps.

The Anakapalli market received 4.3 million lumps last season and this season, it is unlikely to cross 3.5 million lumps, Raju said.