The big cardamom industry’s first harvest season is underway across the central producing states of India. However, a looming uncertainty is casting its shadow on the horizon as the second crop is anticipated to debut by the end of this month or the dawning fortnight of November. In the coming days, the forthcoming second harvest could sway the tides of the prominent cardamom markets.
Widespread damage
As the first harvest unfolds in the key producing regions of our nation, concerns arise due to unfavorable weather conditions during this season, potentially inflicting widespread damage on the large cardamom crop.The second major harvest of big cardamom is poised to commence around October’s closing days or November’s inception. This time around, Mother Nature had her quirks, as temperatures in central producing states soared beyond the usual during the crucial growth period of large cardamom. To add to the challenge, the crop found itself under siege by insect invaders. Consequently, a grim specter of up to 70 percent loss looms over the first crop of big cardamom, setting a somber tone for the forthcoming second crop.
It is foreseen that the tide of big cardamom arrivals in domestic markets will swell only after the unveiling of the second harvest, coinciding with the approaching Diwali festival. Notably, substantial quantities of big cardamom are imported from Nepal.
In the initial four months of the financial year 2023-24, from April to July, 353.37 metric tonnes of big cardamom have been exported from the country. By comparison, a quantity of 633.60 metric tonnes was exported during the same period in the previous year. With the second harvest on the horizon, the future of big cardamom spot markets is poised for intriguing developments and potential turbulence.