Monsoon Affects Kerala's Cardamom Output

Mumbai: The monsoon may take a heavy toll on the cardamom crop in Kerala this year. Major output centres such as Vandanmedu, Udumbanchola, Rajakkad and Santapara in Idukki have been hard hit by incessant rains and gusty winds. Total output in the State is hoped to be 25 per cent lower at 8,500-9,000 tonnes, compared to 11,235 tonnes last year. Another four to five rounds are left. Production is projected to be much lower than the previous year.

The present arrival in the spot markets is old stock, and full-fledged arrival of the recent harvest will begin in October. Delay in harvesting in Idukki, where 60 per cent of total area is rainfed, may result in lower arrivals in the short term. Kerala accounts for 78 per cent of the county's total cardamom output, while Karnataka is a distant second with 14 per cent followed by Tamil Nadu at seven per cent. Though October is the peak-harvesting period we can expect good purchasing in the market due to upcoming festive demand from domestic as well as UAE markets. Old stocks are also fast depleting. Prices are presently trad \ing in a bearish channel with trend channel support pegged at the Rs 500 level.