According to Rasik Mehta, a leading exporter of spices, the price of turmeric slumped sharply while prices of coriander and fenugreek staged a smart rally. Chillies turned further easy as arrivals mismatched offtake.

Turmeric: Increased arrivals had a severe effect on the price of turmeric all around. The decline was as sharp as Rs 100/125 per quintal. Demand from overseas buyers is expected this week at lower levels. In Sangli, prices sank sharply to Rs 2,350 for spot and Rs 2,000/2,200 for truckloads. In Mumbai FOL (Free On Lorry) prices for Nizamabad were Rs 2,150/2,200 against the previous week's Rs 2,300/2,325, Rs 2,250/2,300 (Rs 2,325/2,350) for Cuddapah variety, Rs 2,200/2,250 (Rs 2,350/2,400) for Duggirala varietyand Rs 2,300/2,350 (Rs 2,400/2,450) for the Sangli polished variety.

Coriander: Weeding season and scorching heat curbed arrivals which led to a sharp rally in prices. Badami variety which arrived at far less green in colour also fuelled the prices. Indore average ruled at Rs 1,200/1,250 (Rs 1,125/1,150 while Kanpur average at Rs 1,450/1,500 (Rs 1,300). Machine cleaned (M/C) and washed Kanpur at Rs 1,700/1,800 (Rs 1,550/1,700) and M/C and washed Indore at Rs 1,400/1,650 (Rs 1,375/1,600). The 100 per cent split M/C ruled steady at Rs 1,050/1,075 (Rs 1,025) per quintal.

Cumin: Arrivals in Unjha continued at 15,000 to 20,000 bags per day. Prices fluctuated range bound. The one per cent M/C for Singapore/Dubai quality ruled at Rs 1,140/1,150 (Rs 1,200/1,225), while for Europe it was steady at around Rs 1,275/1,300. The four per cent M/C for Ceylon/Dubai at Rs 1,140/1,150 per 20 kilograms FOL Mumbai. It is reported that some exporters have managed to import cheaper variety and this might beused to mix with the expensive domestic variety.

Fennel: Prices more or less ruled steady at slightly lower levels. Dubai/Singapore quality was posted at Rs 850/875 (Rs 875/900) and for London/Europe quality at Rs 900/950 (925/975) per 20 kgs at FOB Mumbai.

Fenugreek: Present prices having bottomed out, stockists were active buyers to build inventories. Export demand too helped upward tendency. As a result the prices improved by Rs 50/75. The M/C best bold ruled at Rs 1,950/2,000 (1,850/1,900), medium best machine cleaned at Rs 1,550/1,600 (1,450/1,500) and average at Rs 1,450/1,475 (1,400/1,425). Dill seed: Prices ruled firm on exporters demand. The one per cent M/C ruled steady at Rs 3,800 and 11 per cent FAQ slightly lower at Rs 3,300 (Rs 3,350/3,400). New crop was placed at Rs 4,100 (Rs 4,250) per quintal FOL Mumbai.

Ajwain: Market was agog with rumour that cheaper varieties had been imported and sold locally. Firm prices prevailed. Jamnagar ruled between Rs 5,000 and Rs 5,500,MP superior Rs 5,600/5,800 (5,300/5,600) and medium at Rs 5,000/5,200 (4,900/5,000) per quintal FOL Mumbai.

Chillies: Continued onslaught of heavy arrivals and financial crunch gripped the market pulling down the prices. Chillies with stem ruled at Rs 2,950/3,050 (2,900) while chillies without stem ruled at Rs 4,200/4,300 (4,300) per quintal FOB Mumbai. Tamarind: Prices continued upward momentum after declining in the previous fortnight. Basket was quoted at Rs 2,400/2,500 (2,200/2,300), slab at Rs 2,800/3,000 (2,700/2,800) while consumer packs at Rs 3,200/3,400 (3,000/3,200). Black pepper: Prices fluctuated range bound on improved supplies. Cochin ready delivery, ungarbled loose ruled at Rs 1,80,000 (1,78,000) per MT. In futures section at Cochin May delivery ruled at 1,87,750 (1,86,250) and June delivery at Rs 1,87,500 (1,86,000) per quintal FOB Cochin.

The MG-1 FOB Cochin ruled at Rs 1,96,000 (1,93,000) and FOL Mumbai ruled at Rs 1,90,000 (1,92,000) per MT. Ginger: Prices maintained firm levelsof previous week. The NUGC good FOB Cochin ruled at Rs 88,000 (90,000) and FOL Mumbai at (Rs 88,000) per MT.

Sesameseeds: Prices turned easy in absence of fresh demand. The 98x2 jumped at Rs 3,650/3,700 (3,700/3,750), while 95x2 at Rs 3,350/3,400 (3,400/3,450). Hulled ruled at Rs 4,400/4,450 (4,400/4,500).

Peanuts: Gujarat was offering May delivery at cheap rates which pushed down the prices. Prices of 45/50 counts are Rs 2,650/2,700 (2,850), 50/60 counts at Rs 2,600/2,625 (2,700) and 60/70 counts at Rs 2,400/2,450 (2,450) and 70/80 counts at Rs 2,300/2,350 (2,300) and 80/90 counts at Rs 2,200/2,250 (2,250).