Mumbai, January 17 (CommoditiesControl): Small cardamom prices have remained fairly steady at five-year highs, bolstered by robust festive demand in recent weeks. As demand is expected to increase during Ramadan, prices are likely to stay favorable in the coming weeks, according to market sources.
The average price per kilogram today ranged between Rs 3,100 and Rs 3,105, slightly down from Rs 3,117 the previous day. The highest price per kilogram in the auction was Rs 3,552, a decrease from Rs 3,612 in the previous session.
Arrivals have been strong, surpassing 1.0 lakh kgs in the last 7-8 sessions. In the most recent auction, approximately 493 pieces were sold, up from 330 the previous day. A total of 124,661 kg was reported in arrivals, an increase from 101,083 kg the day before, as the sale was held at two locations. Of the total arrivals, 121,798 kg was sold, with offtake slightly decreasing from 98.2% to 97.7%, indicating sustained strong demand.
Grade-specific prices remained constant during the third session. Prices for grades measuring 7 mm ranged between Rs 2,820 and Rs 3,000 per kilogram. Prices for 7-8 mm grades were between Rs 3,160 and Rs 3,200, while grades 8 mm and higher were priced between Rs 3,340 and Rs 3,600. While prices were steady today, further price hikes are expected due to strong demand and limited supply.
In contrast, large cardamom prices in key North Eastern markets saw some fluctuation, with a decrease of Rs 25-50 per kilogram in the higher range and an increase of Rs 25-75 in the lower range. Badadana prices ranged from Rs 1,675 to Rs 1,900 per kilogram, while Chotadana prices ranged from Rs 1,550 to Rs 1,687. The scarcity of cardamom continues to keep prices high across both small and large varieties.
