Cardamom Rates Increase Due To Short Supply

Kochi: Cardamom prices during the week displayed an upward trend on short supply at sales held in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thin arrivals have bounded the auctions to two this week instead of seven. At auction held by Cardamom Processing and Marketing company (CPMC) in Kumily on Aug 8, the arrivals stood at 30 tonnes and almost the entire quantity was sold out. Thirty per cent of the capsules was of the current crop and balance was from the carry over stock.

North Indian dealers purchased via their representatives. The Kerala Cardamom Processing and Marketing Cooperative (KCPMC) would commence its auction from August 19 and would continue through out the season. The maximum price at the Aug 08, auction was Rs 525 and the minimum Rs 200 a kg. Average price moved up to Rs 415 a kg. It is understood that some more cardamom auctioning centres are likely to come up in Kerala's Idukki district. Auctions have been held on all seven days of the week and hence increasing the number of auctions will result in two auctions a day and that given the geographical peculiarities of the region would be difficult for the traders to participate in.