TasteConnection News- Edition 13 Spring 2015 Part 4

Spices

Cardamom

Guatemalan crop did not turn out quite as well as hoped and as availability of that draws to an end the prices, including that for the Indian crop, follow a slight increase.

Celery Seed

Increases until May 2015 when new crop becomes available. Demand is consistently high, so next year the crop should be larger as producers notice the price increase. Despite this, prices are unlikely to drop until later in the year as stockists are prepared to pay a premium price on the new crop as they know that demand will be high.

Chilli

Situation unchanged from last month. India’s crop will be delayed until March. Although stocks are adequate this means that prices are rising and are expected to continue to do so.

Cinnamon/Cassia

Heavy demand and limited stocks, hence prices rising. Untimely rains in Sri Lanka have delayed harvest, as the bark is stripped just after the end of the rainy season.

Coriander

Prices are unlikely to drop until March, when a bumper Indian crop should become available. The Indian crop has dominated the market lately, with limited availability from Syria and with the European crop being bought up by users and speculators.

Cumin

Despite expectation that available stocks would prevent this prices have been on an upward spiral. Low rates of planting are to blame, which were in turn caused by the previous all time low in price.

Fennel Seed

With the new crop available at the end of January prices should start to drop slightly within an ongoing stable trend.

Fenugreek

Any respite from high prices is unlikely before March/April by which time this year’s good crop should be available.

Ginger

The large Indian crop is not as good as hoped, with rain being the culprit as it causes rhizome rot. Prices are, however, are still declining, due to large size of the crop and good supplies from Nigeria. By 2016 we may see a drop in production, ginger can only be grown in the same field two years running, so the large crops inspired by decent profits can’t go on for ever.

Mustard

Seasonal price increases, normal for Winter due to demand for mustard oil. These are slight however, due to the high stocks following the last two years of high production. Things should stay stable until these stocks run out. Currently farmers are switching to alternate crops so eventually supplies must run out.

Black Pepper

As the latest Vietnamese crop is now becoming available, there’s something of a drop in the high prices that we have been seeing, aided by a good crop from India. Prices of white Muntok pepper continue to follow the trend set by black pepper.

Turmeric

Low production driven by low prices. Market has been slow to respond to this lack as demand also has been low, however, we’re now finally starting to see prices beginning to rise.

Herbs

Basil

As a good crop ends this year prices are low. However low prices are likely to result in a smaller crop for next year. Prices set to rise as this is confirmed when the new season starts in July.

Dill Seeds

Prices still stable, but best to buy while high quality stock is still available. Harvest of Dill Tips is now ended.

Marjoram

Recently availability of stock has lowered prices, with a slow drop expected until the new crop becomes available in March/April.

Parsley

Harvest in Europe is now over. Egyptian harvest became available in December. With good quality available from the UK prices are stable, with demand being as high as ever.

Rosemary

Steady increases in price as stocks dwindle, new Moroccan crop not due until April 2015.

Thyme

Prices still high, waiting for the Egyptian crop in April.

Our next newsletter will contain an article on Maple Syrup.  If you would like to view any previous newsletters please look at our website. www.tasteconnection.co.uk

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