Jaggery arrival at Anakapalli market doubles

Anakapalli jaggery market, the second largest in the country, is witnessing good jaggery arrivals in the new season, that began from August 1. Apart from significant arrivals, the rates too are in an upbeat mood.

"Normally, 1000-2000 jaggery lumps (each lump carries 15 kg) arrive in the market every day in the beginning of the season. But 2,000-4,000 lumps arrive each day these days mostly from the surrounding villages of Anakapalli," said IVR Nageswara Rao, president, Anakapalli Jaggery Merchants Association.

K Buchi Raju, a trader said during 2004-05 jaggery season, about 52 lakh lumps arrived at the market, which was a record of sorts. More arrivals have not resulted in a fall in price. In fact, jaggery producers are pocketing quite a sum. Buoyed by this, sugarcane farmers have started bringing in more jaggery to the Anakapalli market right from the beginning of the season.

High quality jaggery comprises 60 per cent of the current arrivals for which traders are paying up to Rs 160 per 10 kg. For low grade (black jaggery), traders pay Rs 128-130 per 10 kg. However, with the entry of new jaggery stocks, traders are finding it difficult to clear their old stock, which values about Rs 9 crore.

"Anakapalli traders have about 700 loads of stocks procured last jaggery season. They want to sell the old stock soon as the export rates have fallen," Rao said.