Bad weather to hit cardamom output by 40%

Green cardamom output is expected to come down by 30-40 per cent due to unfavourable weather conditions. The decline is higher than the earlier expected drop of 15 -20 per cent. Prices are expected to rise on the back of upcoming festivals and low output.

In Indore's local market, trading has not gathered pace due to low production. Rates are expected to rise by Rs 50 to reach Rs 575 -600 a kg for the extra bold quality and Rs 475 -500 a kg for the Virudnagar bold quality next month due to Ganesh Chaturthi and other festivals in the next month.

Local traders said the new crop was expected in the coming month. The availability of the product at auction centres is going to be sluggish as the stock is limited.

In Kerala, a major cardamom-growing state in the country, climatic conditions have affected production. According to reports, inclement weather has played havoc with the crop and the arrival of good quality cardamom has fallen. Consequently, stockists are anticipating a bullish trend as the stock position is low compared with the last year.

The demand is expected to increase in the global markets also as Guatemala, a leading cardamom-growing country, has reported low production.