KOCHI: The production and export of cardamom, also known as the queen of spices, has been increasing over the past three years. Despite competition from Guatemala, the largest producer of cardamom, there are good days for cardamom sector in the country.
India grew just over 20,000 tonnes of cardamom and exported around 4,700 tonnes in 2013-14. However, during 2015-16, 27,300 tonnes of cardamom were produced and over 6,000 tonnes were exported globally. In three years the production and exports have increased by 33.5 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.
“Indian spices have a particular liking globally. Though the country consumes large portion of its production, we could cater well to the export market as well. India produces the superior quality of cardamom hence we have religious buyers across the globe. The trend will continue in the future as well. Guatemala is a prominent player but they could not beat us in quality,” opined Gulshan John, chairman, All India Spices Exporters Forum.
Of the 52 spices grown in the country, the Spices Board directly looks after the cardamom production. Over a month ago, cardamom prise rose to about Rs 1400 per kg, a five-year high on the back of a production shortfall. But the price have cooled down to Rs 1100 range.
“The union government is implementing various schemes to meet the increasing demand of cardamom in the country. These include production of quality materials of cardamom in the growers’ field, replanting of old, senile and uneconomic gardens of cardamom.
Besides, assistance for farm mechanisation to address the labour problem and to reduce the cost of production, supply of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) kits to cardamom (small) growers and recognition of growers by instituting awards were also initiated,” said commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in Rajya Sabha recently.
“The situation is conducive for increased production of cardamom. But the drought situation remains a major concern. We hope that better monsoon would pull up production,” said Mathew, a grower in Idukki, Kerala.