Rubber, cardamom prices plummet after tariff announcement in US

The rubber, which hovered around 350 Japanese Yen per kilo at the start of the week in the Japanese market, fluctuated this week due to a wave of negative news. The fear that America's high tariff announcement will negatively impact the Chinese automobile sector deterred investors from rubber. While the market broke crucial support levels, falling to 318 Yen, the support at 314 Yen (mentioned on 04/04/2025) prevented further decline, prompting funds to book profits in the final moments of trading.

Although the Japanese Yen strengthened against the dollar, rising from 150 to 145 at the beginning of the week, this did not attract foreign investors to rubber. The impact of the withdrawal of Chinese industrialists resulted in a 492 Rupee per quintal drop in rubber prices in the Thai market on Friday, settling at 19,476 Rupees. In the state, grade 4 rubber dropped from 20,600 Rupees to 20,300 Rupees.

Cardamom and cardamom seeds are experiencing a slight slump in the markets of central Kerala and the High Ranges. Reduced demand from industrialists and pharmaceutical manufacturers has led exporters to restrict purchases. However, producers view this as a strategy by buyers anticipating new arrivals. Cardamom (whole) is trading between 180-240 Rupees per kilo, and cardamom seeds between 530-560 Rupees.

In the High Ranges, whole cardamom is priced at 250 Rupees and cardamom seeds at 590 Rupees. Cardamom plantations struggled to withstand the intense heat in February, resulting in smaller-sized cardamom in some areas. Lack of sufficient irrigation in many plantations after January also led to widespread fruit drop.

High Range small-scale farmers are holding onto their cardamom stocks, confident that Easter and Vishu will boost demand. At the auction in Kumily, 52,632 kilos out of 58,595 kilos of cardamom offered were sold. Average quality cardamom fetched 2679 Rupees per kilo, while superior quality reached 3051 Rupees per kilo.