The country’s turmeric production is estimated at 1.314 mt against 1.329 mt with heavy rains water-logging the fields and affecting the output. The area under cultivation is lower in most parts of the country, barring Maharashtra.
Farmers are likey to benefit from low incidences of pest attack and use of lower chemicals. Though demand for turmeric will dictate the price trend, a bearish factor is that there is a large carryover stock of 0.17 mt this season.
The crop study, done by Olam Spices in December and early January, showed that water-logging affected the turmeric crop in Maharashtra, which accounts for 28 percent of the area under the spice crop. However, there has been no major pest attack and hence, due to the rise in overall area under the crop, the production was expected to be 10 percent higher.
Production is projected lower by 5 percent in Telangana due to overall drop in acreage and 20 percent in Karnataka due to rot disease. The crop in Tamil Nadu is projected 15-20 percent lower due to the impact of rains, while the output in Andhra Pradesh has been affected, in addition to rains, pest attacks and diseases.
In the North-East, the area is up 10 percent and with the crop in fine condition, the production will likely be 15 percent higher, the report said.
The turmeric finger salem double polished grade A prices were recorded at $0,99 per kg FOB.