India’s turmeric output is likely to decline 12-15 per cent this year on extended monsoon rainfall and the consequent high moisture content in the field throughout Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The total output this year is likely to fall to 4.2 million bags of 80 kg each as against 4.8 million bags last year. But, the consumption remained stagnant at 5 million bags for the last 6-7 years.
Looking at the deficit in production this year, Sharad Shah, secretary of the Sangli-based Shri Halad Vyapari Association anticipates the price of medicinal spice to rise at least by 25 per cent before January when the real estimates of output is known to the traders.
Last year, the carry forward stocks was also high at 1.3 million bags which is estimated to decline this year to 6-700,000 bags towards the end of the season. India exports about 3-400,000 bags for medicinal uses abroad. Turmeric is shown in India around June and harvested mid-January.
“Crop was damaged extensively because of the late rainfall which left the field inundated,” according to Shah. Apparently, the moisture content in the field was several times higher than the crop requires. Consequently, the seed inside the mud could not germinate fully to yield higher.
This year the monsoon began about a month late and continued till early October which is the peak time for the crop like turmeric germination. In that time, rainfall hampers plans of farmers as they had hoped for higher output.
In contrast, Ketan Shah, a trader based in Nizamabad said the output in the country this year may increase by 10 per cent. But, the real picture would be known only a month later.
