Cardamom Auctions At Higher Prices

Good demand and low supplies resulted in better price realisations at cardamom auctions at various centres across the country during the last week of March.

Even in the southern centres, where prices this season, have been below Rs 250 a kg, the lots were quoted around Rs 300 a kg, reports from licensed auctioneers said. The rates have been ruling higher in comparison to the same period last season (August 1996- July 1997). However, the overall season prices were lower compared to the previous season.

During the last week of March, Delhi auctions fetched the maximum average price of Rs 347.67 a kg. For the season, the average price is Rs 277.94.

 

Mumbai had the highest average price for the season at Rs 286.90 but no auctions were held during the period. The Kumily auction centre in Kerala fetched the next best average price of Rs 346.90 a kg.

Both auctions at Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu met with good response. While an average price of Rs 328.87 a kg was fetched on the March 23 auction, the March 27 auction realised an average price of Rs 330.93.

The Vandanmettu centre in Kerala also fetched an average price of Rs 330.73 a kg during the period.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala centres together accounted for sales of 2775 tonnes of cardamom this season of the total 3190 tonnes sold all over the country. This is against 2302 tonnes out of the total 2532 tonnes sold last season.

Karnataka, however, witnessed poor realisation on a fall in the quality of the offerings. While one auction fetched an average price of Rs 252.01 a kg, the other realised a meagre Rs 188.82.

Average prices for the season in Karnataka centres have been better at Rs 254.75 than Tamil Nadu and Kerala centres, which have totally fetched an average price of Rs 254.03. Last season, Karnataka centres average price was Rs 347.70, while in Tamil Nadu and Kerala it was Rs 397.86.

The all India season average price so far has been Rs 254.75 against Rs 393.31 last season. In wholesale markets, bold cardamom have been quoted at Rs 420 a kg in Bodinayakanur, and between Rs 390 and Rs 410 in Virudhunagar. As far as large cardamom are concerned, badadana without tail was quoted at Rs 7900 a quintal at Siliguri and the one with tail at Rs 7100. Chotadana was quoted at Rs 6550. In Gangtok, chotadana was quoted at Rs 6250-6500. At Mumbai and New Delhi, badadana were quoted at Rs 8200-8500 and Rs 7300-9500 respectively.