President of Erode Turmeric Merchants Association, R K V Ravishankar said for the first time, a 12 day holiday had been declared for the Goddess Mariamman temple festival. Further, in view of the parliament polls orders from north Indian traders were less.
Erode, noted for turmeric production in neighbouring villages, has four markets -- Erode Turmeric Merchants Association sales yard, Regulated Marketing Committee, Erode and Gobichettipalayam Cooperative Marketing Societies.
Though arrival has increased in the last one week, only 45 per cent of the total 9,300 bags of turmeric were sold today with the price declining by Rs.100 a quintal.