Small cardamom prices witnessed an easier to steady trend, of late, after moving up and remaining at above ₹1,000 a kg level for a week at auctions held in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

However, at the auction conducted by Cardamom Planters Association (CPA), Santhanpara in Bodinayakannur today, the prices showed a marginal gain. Of the 24 tonnes arrived, 20 tonnes were traded. The maximum price stood at ₹1,208 a kg, while the auction average moved up to ₹971.84 (₹968.22).

Change in market sentiments following rains in some of the growing areas led to a slight drop in the prices last week, PC Punnoose, General Manager, CPMC, told BusinessLine.

He said the arrivals have started showing a declining trend as the harvesting is entering into the last lean lap of the season. Total arrivals last week decreased to 627 tonnes from 721 tonnes the week before.

Exporters were active and have bought an estimated 100 tonnes of cardamom last week. Upcountry dealers were also actively covering, he said.

The individual auction average has dropped to ₹990 a kg from ₹1,016.22 the previous week.

The auction average was vacillating between ₹968 and ₹1,021 last week.

Total arrivals during the current season as on February 10 were at 17,322 tonnes and sales were at 16,920 tonnes. The individual auction average of the season was at ₹962.48 a kg.

Prices of graded varieties (₹/kg): 8mm green bold 1,300; 7-8 mm: 1,080 ; 6-7 mm 980.

Good bulk was being traded at ₹1,020 a kg.

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