Reason of declining in crops
Sikkim and Assam are two major states producing cardamom. Reports are stating that upcoming crops of large cardamom are damaged. From business sources, it is known that about 70% damage has been done to the crops. This may tell us that the availability of the crops will be reduced because of damage.
Temperatures in Sikkim and the producing states of the Northeast like Assam and Meghalaya have remained much above normal this time. Due to this weather condition, there has been a huge loss of large cardamom, especially in Sikkim and Assam. Director of Siliguri based leading firm N. C. Bhojraj & Co, Mr. Shreyansh Jain informed about the status of the upcoming first crop of large cardamom, its availability in Nepal, etc. On one side from this, insects are also affecting the crop. This adverse weather has a harmful impact on the large cardamom crop.
Lack of sales of large cardamom
Business sources informed that due to the absence of sale of large cardamom, its actual condition is not known. In producing areas, there are reports of damage to the crop more than expected.
This time only 30% of the big cardamom crop is coming at the end of August or in the second week of September. Prices of large cardamom remained at their previous level of USD 7.54 per kg in the local markets, as trading activity remained sluggish.
Import from Nepal seems impossible due to the lack of availability
Previously, the shortfall in production of the cardamom was met through imports from Nepal. However, now the import opportunities from Nepal are almost over. Shreyansh Jain further said that “even more worrying is that at present the hope of importing large cardamom from Nepal is almost over as the stock of this major grocery commodity is almost over there.” His father added that “If the information received from there is to be believed, then only 5 to 10 thousand bags of large cardamom stock is left in Nepal.”
Cardamom was the main source of income for farmers
In major producing states, farmers say that until recent years large cardamom remained an important source of income for them. But for the last two-three years, due to adverse weather conditions and insects, their income has been seriously affected. Farmers have demanded from the government to take some steps to let them come out of this situation.
However, it seems that the arrival pressure of large cardamom will not build up before its second harvest after Diwali. There are at least four months left for the arrival pressure of cardamom. The probability of imports has also faded. In such a situation, if there is adequate support in the sales in the upcoming days, then there is a possibility of a noteworthy upsurge in large cardamom.