Tapioca prices are expected to be in the range of Rs.Seven to Rs.Eight at the harvest in November and December and farmers have been advised to take up their sowing decision based on a forecast by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
At present tapioca, used for sago and starch making, was ruling between Rs.700 to Rs.800 per quintal, as against Rs 1,350 in the corresponding period last year, according to the Agro Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion in the University here.
A release said the Centre analyzed the wholesale price behaviour for the last 15 years prevailing at the Salem Market to provide market intelligence to tapioca growers in the plains of major growing districts of Tamil Nadu.
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Analysis revealed that the price of raw tapioca would be in the range of Rs.7 to rs.8 per kg during November-December, and based on which, farmers could to take up sowing decision.
Sago, which was sold at Rs.6,700 per 90 kg bag, had come down to Rs.3,582 and Tapioca Starch, which was sold at Rs.4,000 per 90 kg bag, had come down to Rs.2,260 at present.
The farmers, who got a good price last year, could get only half the price this year, because of higher production and lesser demand, the analysis said.
Tamil Nadu stood first, with 64 per cent in respect of tapioca production and also processing of tapioca into starch and sago in India.
Tapioca, a tuber crop, is cultivated in an area of 0.21 million ha in India, with a total production of 7.74 million tonnes. Kerala followed Tamil Nadu with 32 per cent, parts of Andhra Pradesh 1.5 per cent, Nagaland 1.2 per cent and Assam 0.5 per cent, it said.
India exported several forms of tapioca products like raw tapioca tuber, starch, sago and other modified starches like Dextrins. India ranked 8th in tapioca export value led by Thailand, China and Vietnam during 2013-14.
Indian tapioca and its value added products export value has increased from Rs.77.37 million (2012-13) to Rs.189.46 million (2013-14).
During the current financal year, upto December, India exported tapioca and its value added products valued at Rs. 81 million, it said.
