Anakapalle market likely to see lower jaggery arrivals

About 82 per cent of the sugarcane crop was affected by cyclone Hudhud

Jaggery arrivals at Anakapalle market here is likely to fall by 600,000-700,000 lumps (each lump contains 15 kg) this season in view of the devastation caused by Hudhud cyclone last month.

About 82 per cent of the sugarcane crop was affected by the severe cyclonic winds, and as a result, jaggery arrivals may drop 18-20 per cent this time as compared with the last season, said KLN Rao, president, Anakapalle Jaggery Merchants Association. The market too was closed for about 20 days after the cyclone hit the port city.

During 2013-14, about 3.9 million lumps were brought to the Anakapalle market, but this year, traders are expecting between 3.2 million and 3.3 million lumps, he added.

Also, during this time normally 5,000-7,000 lumps arrive in the market but now it is seeing only 1,500-2,000 lumps every day, said K Buchi Raju, a trader. As around 75 per cent of jaggery arrives between December and March, the actual fall could be known only next month, he said, adding if local sugar mills run normally, jaggery making may fall further.

According to the agricultural department, this year about 92,000 acres had been covered with sugarcane crop in the district. Of this, around 75,000 acres were affected by the cyclone and more than 40 percent crop was totally damaged.