In the world of spices, the aromatic allure of big cardamom beckons anew as the Gangtok festival season sets the stage for its revival in India. As the first harvest season concluded, yielding a somewhat lighter quality crop, the market braces for the imminent start of the second round of harvesting. With the advent of fresh produce, the market’s pulse quickens, and optimism fills the air.
Big cardamom, a spice that has its roots in Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Assam, has found itself a prime contender in the auction centers of Gangtok and Singhdoh. The first harvest, while somewhat diminished, held a silver lining – higher prices. Now, all eyes turn toward the second crop with expectations of an even brighter outcome.
Weather patterns and fickle rainfall have kept local producers on their toes, possibly leading to a reduction in overall yield. As these challenges loom, the price of big cardamom is poised to assert itself, as superior-quality produce enters the market.
In the recent auction, the black variety of big cardamom commanded prices ranging from USD 10,21 to USD 14,56 per kilogram. This modest uptick in value hints at the potential yet to be unveiled in the second harvest.
A noticeable drop in exports
Big cardamom, a star of the spice world, graces not only the lands of India but also the neighboring countries of Nepal and Bhutan. The enchanting aroma and flavor know no borders as it’s imported from both these nations. A glimpse at the Spices Board’s data paints a picture of shifting fortunes. In the initial four months of the current fiscal year, from April to July 2023, India exported a total of 353.37 metric tonnes of big cardamom, a noticeable drop from the 633.60 metric tonnes sent abroad during the same period last year.
The second harvest of big cardamom stands as a beacon of optimism in the realm of spices, ushering in the promise of enhanced quality and market vitality. As the new crop nears, both producers and traders await the second act of this aromatic saga, eager to embrace the rich flavors and scents it brings to the world’s kitchens.