Late harvests recoup cardamom losses

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Kochi, Oct 14 : The cardamom output for 2008-09 is likely to be around 10,000 tonne -11,000 tonne with some late harvests recouping losses, Spices Board sources told FE. “The earlier estimate was that the crop would be lower than 10,000 tonne due to the damage done by low rainfall in June and July,” S Kannan, director, marketing, Spices Board, said. Crop setting began earlier in cardamom due to atypical rains in March and auctions resumed in July after the monsoon break, as against the usual convention of being held in August. Trade sources had estimated the 2008-09 output to cross 13,000 tonne based on early flowering and good crop-setting.

However, hope turned into despair when monsoonal rains reduced by almost 60-70% in Idukki district in June and July. “Revival of the monsoon in August led to some fresh flowering, which may increase arrivals in the later part of the year,” S Kannan added. The 2007-08 crop is estimated to be less than 10,000 tonne.

However, based on the high auction prices farmers mention a lower output and peg the output to be lower than 7,000 tonne. The price realised at auctions increased from Rs 313.20 per kg in 2006-07, to Rs 500.89 per kg in 2007-08, registering an increase of Rs 187.69 per kg. The trend continues in the current season and prices during September 2008 were above Rs 600 per kg.