Spices: The focus is on the Kharif crop
July 7, 2017 at 1:01 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
By the end of June a total of 22.23 million ha had been sown in the agri sector, compared to just 18.7 million ha at this time last year. Of this area, rice was sown on 3.89 million ha, legumes on 1.88 million ha, and various cereal varieties on 3.81 million ha. Moreover, sugar cane is being grown on 4.75 million ha, cotton on 4.61 million ha, and oilseeds on 2.59 million ha.
Cumin
Although cumin is not sown at all for the Kharif season, abundant precipitation could continue to put pressure on the prices. In the long term, however, declining stocks in the growing regions will ensure stable prices. At the end of the week, Grade A cumin, 99% purity closed at 2,429 EUR/mt FOB.
Coriander
The export demand for Indian coriander can almost be ignored lately. Domestic purchase interest is also faltering, and therefore prices are likely to drop in the next few weeks. Coriander, Eagle, 5% Split is currently being offered for 750 EUR/mt FOB.
Turmeric
Higher prices and sufficient moisture due to the recent rainfall has motivated farmers to move along faster with sowing the fields for turmeric. Since prices are still comparatively low, the acreage will be smaller than last year. Current offers for turmeric, Salem, Double Polished are now at 1,047 EUR/mt FOB.
Chilli
Seeing as chilli prices have not changed anyway in recent weeks and there are still enough supplies available on the market, traders are allowing themselves to take a break this week. They are using this time to figure out the new value added tax situation. The prices for chillies, S4, without stem remain firm at 1,128 EUR/mt FOB.
Cardamom
According to market players from Kumily, about half of the arrivals already stem from the new crop. The downside is that the cardamom capsules from the first picking were not only relatively small; they also had overall problems with meeting the quality standards. The prices are currently at 20,775 USD/mt FOB.
Black pepper
As usual, Indian pepper is not able to beat the competition from Vietnam. Prices have again risen this week, increasing by 395 EUR/mt to 9,695 EUR/mt FOB.