Anil Dhungana, executive director of the Nepal Cardamom Traders Federation, said that in the trading mode of Nepal's big market where cardamom is bought and sold, Pratiman (40 kg) was traded at 94,000 today.
What you should know
Cardamom, the cash crop of the eastern hills, known as 'Kholsa gold' fetches high prices in the early 'season' of production.
Anil Dhungana, executive director of the Nepal Cardamom Traders Federation, said that in the trading mode of Nepal's big market where cardamom is bought and sold, Pratiman (40 kg) was traded at 94,000 today. "This is a very good price," he said. This price of cardamom is considered to be the highest in the last seven years.
In the current season of 2075, the price of cardamom rose up to one lakh five thousand. In December of the same year, the price increased further and reached one lakh seven thousand. In the year 2067, Pratiman cardamom was traded up to 120,000. Cardamom worth more than that has never been traded.
He says that the high prices between August and August is a sign that they may increase further towards November and August. Now the farmers who are producing cardamom will be directly benefited by the increased price. Farmers became enthusiastic when the price of cardamom was high when the farmers sold it. By storing the cardamom purchased from the farmers at this time, the traders are making a lot of profit by selling it after the price rises around November-August.
'Farmers invest a maximum of Rs 20,000 to produce one heart of cardamom,' says Dhungana, executive director of the association, 'Farmers are very happy to get a higher price when they sell. This year, the price of cardamom is likely to increase even more.'
Even though cardamom is grown in 42 districts of Nepal, most of it is produced in Panchthar, Taplejung, Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Bhojpur and Tehrathum districts of Koshi province. Cardamom has been cultivated in an area of more than seven thousand 500 hectares in Koshi province. According to the Mechi Customs Office, cardamom worth Rs. 7.67 billion was exported to India in the financial year 2081/82.
90 percent of the cardamom produced in Nepal is exported. Cardamom that reaches India from Nepal reaches the world market through 'branding'. Nepali cardamom is not able to reach the world market easily.
