According to Rasik Mehta, a leading exporter of spices, the prices of other spices like cummin, dill seed, and ajwain remained steady during the week. Sesameseed backtracked after reaching new highs in the previous week.

Turmeric: With resumption of trading activities in Andhra Pradesh, arrivals increased sizably which led to decline in prices. Nizamabad received about 27,000 bags, Cuddapah and Duggirala too had higher arrivals. Hence the prices turned weak and fell by Rs 100 per quintal. Prices in Sangli for spot deals recede to Rs 2,650 and pits and truckloads of Nizamabad were traded at Rs 2,200-2,700. In Mumbai FOB prices are Rs 2,325/2,350 for Nizamabad variety, Rs 2,325/2,350 forCuddapah variety, Rs 2,325/2,350 for Duggirala variety and Rs 2,440/2,450 for Sangli polished variety.

Coriander: Prices turned easy on increased arrivals thus softening the rices. Indore average ruled at Rs 1,200/1,250 while Kanpur average at Rs 1,400/1,450. Machine cleaned (M/C) and washed Kanpur at Rs 1,600/1,800 and M/C and washed Indore at Rs 1,350/1,500. The 100 per cent split M/C ruled steady at Rs 1,000/1,025 per quintal.

Cumin: Prices fluctuated in th range of Rs 50. The one per cent M/C for Singapore/Dubai quality ruled at Rs 1,200/1,225 while for Europe it quoted around Rs 1,275/1,300. The four per cent general M/C variety was quoted at Rs 1,150/1,175 per 20 kgs for FOB Mumbai.

Fennel: Prices edged up higher on a better note. Dubai/Singapore quality was posted at Rs 900/925 and for London/Europe quality at Rs 900/1,000 per 20 kgs at FOB Mumbai.

Fenugreek: Export demand helped prices to recover. Sustained overseas inquiries in next fortnight might give a muchneeded push to the declining prices. M/C best bold ruled at Rs 1,900/1,950, best machine cleaned at Rs 1,475/1,500 and average at Rs 1,400/1,425.

Dill seed: Prices ruled firm on exporters demand. The one per cent M/C ruled at Rs 3,700/3,800 and 11 per cent FAQ at Rs 3,300/3,400.

Ajwain: Prices in MP shot up sharply. Jamnagar ruled between Rs 4,800 and Rs 5,500, MP superior Rs 5,000/5,100 and medium at Rs 5,300/5,500 per quintal FOB Mumbai.

Chillies: Steady prices continued to rule. Chillies with stem ruled at Rs 3,100/3,150 while chillies without stem ruled at Rs 4,350/4,400 per quintal FOB Mumbai.

Tamarind: Prices declined substantially. Basket was quoted at Rs 2,000/2,200, slab at Rs 2,100/2,300 while consumer packs at Rs 2,400/2,600.

Black pepper: Prices fluctuated in a narrow range. Especially due to delayed arrivals of goods in the market which led a few traders into default. Farmers who are aware of this situation are not ready to overwhelm the marketwith fresh pickings. In Malabar ungarbled loose ruled at Rs 1,80,000 per mt. While in futures section at Cochin May delivery ruled at 1,89,000 and April delivery at Rs 1,89,500 per quintal FOB Cochin. MG-1 FOB Cochin ruled at Rs 1,95,000 and FOL Mumbai ruled at Rs 1,92,000 per mt.

Ginger: Prices maintained firm levels of previous week. NUGC good FOB Cochin ruled at Rs 90,000 and FOL Mumbai at Rs 90,000 per mt.

Sesameseeds: Prices backtracked during the week after reaching new highs in the previous week. The 98x2 jumped at Rs 3,750/3,800, while 95x5 at Rs 3,400/3,450. Hulled ruled at Rs 4,450/4,500.

Peanuts: Prices ruled steady. New crop arrivals are likely to commence next fortnight. Prices of 45/50 counts were Rs 2,900/2,925, 50/60 counts at Rs 2,775/2,825 and 60/70 counts at Rs 2,500/2,550 and 70/80 counts at Rs 2,550/2,400 and 80/90 counts at Rs 2,250/2,275.