Incessant rains take toll on turmeric, destroy 14 lakh kg

The heavy rains in major turmeric producing centres such as Dugirala and Sangli have damaged almost 20,000 bags of turmeric.

The total loss owing to rains in carryover stock would be one lakh bags, said Kirandip Singh Swani, chairman, Indian Spice and Foodstuff Exporters Association.The carryover stock of turmeric for 2006 is expected to be five lakh bags (1 bag=70 kg).

"The price of export quality polished fingers in Mumbai and Erode is Rs 28 per kg. In Cudappa and Dugirala the price is Rs 24 per kg. In Nizamabad the price is Rs 25.50. There is no shortage of turmeric in the market and the export is also moving on without any disruption," Swani added.

Andhra Pradesh contributes 40-50 per cent in the total turmeric production. But the Godavari river belt of the state suffered a little higher loss in stock due to over flooding. Since the farmers in Erode region shifted to sugarcane, the area under turmeric cultivation in the region was less than the normal in 2005-06 crop season.

India, the largest producer of turmeric, supplies more than 90 per cent in the world market. Turmeric exports during April 2004-February 2005 were 38,500 tonne valued at Rs 141.74 crore compared with 28,750 tonne worth Rs 107.80 crore in the same period a year ago.

The turmeric cultivation in India is spread across 180 lakh hectare that accounts for total production of 700 lakh tonne. Andhra Pradesh, followed by Tamil Nadu, is the largest producer in India as far as the cultivation area and the output is concerned.

UAE is the major importer accounting for 24.06 per cent of the total exports followed by US with 12.93 per cent. The other leading importers are Japan, United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. The quality stipulation followed by US is considered to be more important for export of turmeric.

Other producers in Asia include Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China, Myanmar and Indonesia. Caribbean islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil are also in the cultivation of turmeric.