The move follows stringent norms imposed by importers like Saudi Arabia on quality and food safety. Recently Qatar rejected 1,500 kg of cardamom from Kerala citing the presence of pesticide.
The move follows stringent norms imposed by importers like Saudi Arabia on quality and food safety. Recently Qatar rejected 1,500 kg of cardamom from Kerala citing the presence of pesticide.
For the first time, Spices Board of India will conduct a special e-auction for pesticide free cardamom. According to officials, the first such auction will be held on Saturday at Spices Park in Puttady and Bodinayakanur. Pesticide free cardamom is for export. Recently, Qatar rejected 1,500 kg of cardamom from Kerala, citing the presence of pesticide.
Anil Kumar KA, assistant director, Spices Board, said the two auction agencies had submitted lab-tested green cardamom for a special auction. Mass Enterprises Ltd deposited 59 lots (17,096 kg) and South Indian Green Cardamom Company Ltd deposited 14 lots (3,156 kg). Lab tests were approved by 15,257 kg Mass Enterprises and 2,296 kg by South Indian Green Cardamom Company,” he said.
hardness test
“Before being produced at auction, cardamom must complete six pesticide tests and artificial color tests. Only laboratory tested cardamom will be produced for the special auction. Every 125g lot should be submitted for lab test. The laboratory testing fee for each lot has been fixed at ₹4,130. Since Spices Board will bear one-third of the fee, the manufacturer pays ₹ 2,753 per lot. If the sample fails the laboratory test then the manufacturer should pay the full testing fee,” he said.
Dried cardamom is kept in Kumily’s shop. , photo credit: special arrangement
The quality and price of cardamom is determined by its colour, size and shape. “The new certified safe to eat cardamom is labeled primarily for its pesticide-free quality. The particular variety of cardamom is verified through the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system. We are hopeful that the new product will bring us Will get more orders from abroad and better price,” said Mr. Anil Kumar.
once in a month
Officials said the special auction would be conducted once a month. Initially, a special auction will be held on the last Saturday of every month.
According to Spices Board officials, several importers including Saudi Arabia, the largest consuming country of cardamom, have started implementing strict quality and food safety norms to be followed by exporters of cardamom, including the maximum residue limit (MRL) for certain chemical residues. have make. ,
drop in exports
“Recently, Qatar rejected 1,500 kg of cardamom from Kerala due to the presence of pesticides. Cardamom exports have declined over the past several months and this has had an impact on the price of the crop in the open market.
Cardamom prices have hit a new low in the local market, trading at ₹800 to ₹900 per kg. The highest ever price of cardamom was recorded at ₹7,000 per kg on August 3, 2019 in the auction held in Puttadi.