Cardamom Prices Rise as New Crop Season Begins

Quick summary

• Green Cardamom prices: Prices are on an upward trend with an average price of ₹2,642 per kg at a recent auction in Spices park, Puttady. Maximum price quoted during the auction was ₹3,212 a kg.
• Auction Details: At the evening auction conducted by IMCPC, 25,473 kg of cardamom arrived; morning auctions by spice More Trading Company saw 36,903 kg arrival with average and maximum prices recorded at ₹2,553.40 and ₹3,050 per kg respectively.Most cardamom was sold during auctions despite limited supply.
• Crop Arrival & Quality: The first harvest has started after favorable summer rains in growing regions; capsule sizes and weights remain low but the color quality is good according to vendors.
• Price Surge Factors: A weekly increase of ₹150-₹170 a kg is attributed to poor arrival numbers creating supply shortages amidst increasing domestic demand.
• Diseases Impacting Production: Widespread diseases like capsule rot and clump rot are impacting production potential; farmers expect better output during August-December but risks remain high due to disease outbreaks combined with heavy rains.
• Rain Damage Statistics (may 24-July 10): Strong winds and heavy rains have destroyed over 732 hectares of plantations in Idukki district affecting around 4,185 farmers with estimated losses totaling ₹512.49 lakh.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The rise in green cardamom prices signals both positive trends for farmers benefitting from increased market demand but also challenges tied to reduced supply caused by weather disruptions and plant diseases such as capsule rot/clump rot. Adverse climatic events have affected plantation areas extensively this year as evidenced by damage records provided (732 hectares impacted). Farmers now face uncertainty over sustained income prospects for future months despite favorable summer rain boosting initial harvest viability.

This dynamic highlights broader agricultural vulnerabilities within spice markets that could necessitate enhanced investment in disease control measures or disaster management strategies tailored toward mitigating crop loss from unpredictable monsoon patterns or extreme weather events affecting districts such as Idukki.

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