India's Cardamom Imports On Declining Trend .

According to the latest release from the spices Board of India, Import of cardamom to India has been declining consistently. From April to August 2010, only a meager quantity of 45 tonnes of cardamom has been imported from Guatemala. In 2009-10, the import was 95 tonnes against 180 tonnes and 875 tonnes respectively in the previous years.

The reason for this significant fall in imports is due to the consistent decline in production in Guatemala and the strict vigil at major customs points through which cardamom is imported to India. The production of cardamom in Guatemala during 2007 was 28,000 tonnes, which has come down to 16,500 tonnes in 2009. However, a marginal increase of production is reported in 2010. The production in 2010 is estimated to be around 20,000 tonnes.

Cardamom production in Guatemala in 2010 would be about 20,000 tonnes which will be no way near their peak production of 30,000 tonnes in 2004/2005. It is also reported that the inventory in Guatemala as well as in the major consuming countries like Saudi Arabia is very low. This is likely to support domestic cardamom prices in long term.

Source : indiainfoline.com