The onset of the new crop season has brought a sense of relief to green cardamom farmers, as the prices of the spice have shown a positive trend, according to recent auctions held at Spices Park, Puttady, and the Idukki Mahila Cardamom Producer Company Limited (IMCPC).

In the auction held at Spices Park, Puttady, on Thursday, an average price of ₹2,642 a kg was quoted, with 25,473 kg of cardamom arriving. The average price quoted was ₹2,642.73 a kg, and the maximum price reached ₹3,212 a kg.

In the evening auction held by the Idukki Mahila Cardamom Producer Company Limited (IMCPC), 25,473 kg of cardamom arrived, with the average price quoted at ₹2,642.73 a kg and the maximum price reaching ₹3,212 a kg.

In the morning auction held by Spice More Trading Company, the average price was ₹2,553.40 a kg, while the maximum price quoted was ₹3,050.

Of the 36,903 kg of cardamom that arrived, 36,554 kg was sold.

Cardamom vendors say that the favourable summer rain received in the cardamom-growing areas this year has already led to the arrival of the new crop in the market. “The farmers have already begun the first harvest, but the size and weight of the capsules are very low, with only 30 to 40 kg arriving at the market. But the colour of the capsules is good,” said Albin Joseph, a cardamom vendor at Pathumury in Idukki.

Joshy Joseph, public relations officer (PRO) of Spice More Trading Company at Kumily, said that cardamom prices have witnessed a significant surge at the Spices Board market on Thursday, rising by ₹150 to ₹170 a kg compared to the previous week. “The price hike can be attributed to the poor arrival of the spice, which has led to a shortage in supply. However, this upward trend has provided farmers with positive prospects as domestic buyers have shown increased interest in purchasing the commodity. Traders are optimistic that the market will maintain a steady trend in the coming days,” said Mr. Joseph.

Diseases and rain have posed a threat to cardamom production this year. “The widespread capsule rot and clump rot diseases in cardamom plants are posing a threat to cardamom production. The farmers are expecting a good crop in the August to December period,” said Stany Pothen, chairman of the Cardamom Planters Federation.

However, the Agriculture department reported that 732.12 hectares of cardamom plantations were destroyed in the strong wind and heavy rain in the district from May 24 to July 10. “A total of 4,185 farmers have been affected. The total estimated loss is ₹512.49 lakh,” says an official.

Despite the challenges, the positive trend in the market is expected to benefit farmers. The fact that domestic buyers have shown increased interest in purchasing the commodity is a positive sign. Traders are optimistic that the market will maintain a steady trend in the coming days.

Here are some key points about the current market trend:

• The average price of ₹2,642 a kg was quoted in the auction at Spices Park, Puttady. • The average price quoted was ₹2,642.73 a kg, and the maximum price was ₹3,212 a kg. • The morning auction held by Spice More Trading Company had an average price of ₹2,553.40 a kg, while the maximum price quoted was ₹3,050. • Of the 36,903 kg of cardamom that arrived, 36,554 kg was sold. • Cardamom vendors say that the favourable summer rain received in the cardamom-growing areas this year has already led to the arrival of the new crop in the market. • The price hike can be attributed to the poor arrival of the spice, which has led to a shortage in supply.

A table summarizing the prices of cardamom in the auctions held at Spices Park, Puttady, and the Idukki Mahila Cardamom Producer Company Limited (IMCPC) is as follows: