Mysuru: A drop in tamarind yield and the non-availability of labourers has pushed up priced of the commonly used kitchen ingredient. Tamarind prices touched Rs 200 per kg in the APMC wholesale market, compared to Rs 150 to Rs 160 last season.Traders say prices are expected to remain volatile as supply remains low.
Shekhar of SLVT Traders in Mysuru APMC, said that during last year’s harvest season (Jan to April), the APMC received around 10 loads of tamarind each day. “This season, it has come down to just one or two loads,” he said. “The wholesale rate per kilogram of tamarind is Rs 200—Rs 40 to Rs 50 higher than last year. In villages, farmers are unable to find labourers for harvesting tamarind because turmeric crop harvesting is more profitable for labourers. As a result, there is a drop in supply, leading to price rise,” he said. Hosur Kumar, president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Mysuru district, said this year’s tamarind yield is lower than in previous years. “This is one of the major reasons for the price fluctuation,” he said.He added that the number of tamarind trees in villages has also reduced. Farmers attribute the decline to trees being cut over the years. “Earlier, tamarind was a secondary source of income for farmers. Tamarind trees were common in villages, but many have been cut for various reasons, and the yield has dropped,” said Rajesh P A, a farmer from Udbur in Mysuru taluk.“Prices are expected to remain at Rs 200 to Rs 220 per kg in the wholesale market. Due to labour shortage, farmers are selling tamarind without decortication,” he said.
