Higher domestic production of cardamom and turmeric have led to increased exports of the commodities. Turmeric exports during the April-November period of the current FY are higher by 65%, while export of small cardamom is seen higher by 444%.
India is the second largest producer of cardamom in the world after Guatemala, which leads with 60-66% of the world production. Exports of cardamom from India had declined due to the premium on Indian cardamom compared to the Guatemala crop. India lost its traditional markets like Kuwait, Japan and Oman to Guatemala, while retaining Saudi Arabia.
During April ? November 2011, the total export of cardamom (small) registered an all time record of 3,100 tonne valued R253.75 crore as against 570 tonne valued R65.12 crore of last year. This is an increase of 444% in volume and 290% in value when compared with the performance of the same period. During the same period a total quantity of 475 tonne of cardamom (large) valued R37.02 crore have been exported as against 380 tonne valued R18.52 crores of last year, registering an increase of 25% in quantity and 100% in value.
The current production (2011-12) of cardamom could be as high as 15,000-16,000 tonne , trade sources said. Spices Board estimates India?s production in 2010-11 to be 10,350 tonne, which is almost the same as 2009-10 s figures. ?Higher production has led the domestic market to crash to lower levels. Currently cardamom prices range between R450-600 per kg,? trade sources said.
Similarly, export of turmeric has also increased correspondingly to higher production. The production for the current season (2011-2) is estimated to be around 82 lakh bags as against the previous production of 69 lakh bags (2010-11).
During April ?November period, India exported 58,000 tonne of turmeric valued at R571.57 crore as against 35,500 tonne valued at R496.88 crore of last year registering an increase of 63% in quantity and 15% in value. During 2010-11, the total turmeric exports stood at 49,500 tonne. Indian turmeric has the highest curcumin content and is preferred by the extractors and grinders.
