Small cardamom prices showed a firmer trend at the auctions held in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on a demand-supply mismatch.

Fear of a supply squeeze as the harvesting is almost in the last stages coupled with the present protracted dry weather, has strengthened the demand position, said PC Punnoose, General Manager, CPMC.

Besides, the next crop can be expected only after June and that too depending on the behaviour of the ensuing summer, he said.

This is reflected in Monday’s auction conducted by the Cardamom Planters Association (CPA), Santhanpara in Bodinayakannur.

Of the 38 tonnes arrived, 35 tonnes were traded. The maximum price was at ₹1,196 a kg. The auction average stood at ₹969.95 a kg (₹941.41). Total arrivals increased last week to 579 tonnes from 502 tonnes the week before. The individual auction average has risen to ₹966.59 from ₹948.63 the previous week.

The auction average vacillated between ₹941 and ₹985 a kg last week. Total arrivals during the current season as on January 27 were at 15,974 tonnes and sales were at 15,640 tonnes. The individual auction average of the season was at ₹959.12/kg.

Prices of graded varieties (₹/kg): 8mm green bold 1,300; 7-8 mm: 1,030-1,040; 6-7 mm 940. Good bulk was being traded at ₹960-1,000 a kg.