Spices: Production declined in 2017/18
August 20, 2018 at 1:07 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Cumin
This season, Indian spice traders have exported more than 90,000 mt of cumin. At present, only small quantities of new arrivals are entering the market, and demand from within the country and overseas is declining at the same time. As a result, prices for grade A, 99% purity cumin have fallen.
Buyers from Bangladesh and Vietnam have shown restrained interest in buying, but traders expect demand to pick up again over the next two weeks.
Turmeric
Lack of demand has added pressure to the market. This is, however, also due to the fact that growers are currently only supplying the market with average quality, and the availability of good quality turmeric roots in the spot markets is not expected to increase again until September.
The weather situation in the main growing regions is currently very mixed, while some areas are too dry, many other growing regions are experiencing an increased precipitation rate. In addition to demand, the weather will therefore also play an important role in price developments in the coming days.
Chilli peppers
The Indian chilli market has been lacking notable impulses for weeks. Market players hope that the smaller crop will revive the market again this year.
According to the Spices Board of India, chillies were the most widely grown spice this year, with around 2.3 million mt being harvested, although they added that this figure was 4% lower than last year.
Cardamom
Heavy rainfall reduced the effectiveness of pesticides used in India. Particularly in Indukki, the plants are already affected by diseases, which may have a negative effect on cardamom production. Prices for 8 mm cardamom rose this week and closed at a level of 17,730 EUR/mt FOB.
Black pepper
Supply and demand are in balance. Heavy rains are hindering deliveries from the growing areas in Kerala to the trade markets. Water masses and mudslides are rendering some roads difficult to use, some even impassable.