Herbs & Spices

ANISEED

FIRM

The market remains firm, but supplies are being maintained. As the H1N1 flu virus continues to affect people, the tightening availability of Aniseed, a key ingredient of the swine flu vaccine, has seen prices continuing to climb.

BASIL

STEADY

The market is steady with good availability of herb to carry through to the next crop in September. 

BAY

STEADY

The ongoing market position is that the supply of WI Bay Oil is good and price is stable. 

BUCHU

WEAK

The combination of low price and lack of demand is stagnating the market. 

CAPSICUM

FIRM

Prices are high due to a substantial fall of about -40% in the Chinese Chilli crop and also due to too much rain in the Indian growing regions last November. The Indian crop will be harvested in March/April and it is expected that prices may come down then. 

CARAWAY

FIRM

The market has gone very short suddenly, and prices are escalating rapidly. We will be pleased to check the situation for any new enquiries from our customers.  

CARDAMOM

FIRM

There is a continuing imbalance of supply with demand which is keeping prices very high. Guatamalan cardamom prices have shown renewed strength in December on low new crop arrivals in a market of already constrained supply.  

CASSIA

FIRM

Harvesting of the Chinese autumn crop which started in October was slow, with labour competing for the more lucrative Aniseed in the same growing areas. Consequently the price of Cassia Oil is high. 

CELERY HERB

STEADY

The market situation is unchanged during the low season for the crop. Supplies are good. 

CELERY SEED

FIRM

Sowing for the May crop is underway, but the area under cultivation is reduced due the unfavourable price on the market. Thus the market remains firm.  

CHAMOMILE

STEADY

No change in the market to report during the low season. 

CINNAMON LEAF

STEADY

The market is stable. 

CINNAMON BARK

STEADY

The market is stable. 

CLOVES

FIRM

Cloves prices have shown further sharp increases in recent weeks in anticipation of a much smaller Madagascan crop, which will exacerbate the prevailing very limited global availability. 

CORIANDER LEAF

FIRM

The market is firm but prices remain stable. 

CORIANDER SEED

FIRM

Coriander seed prices have been subjected to upward pressure in recent weeks as weak demand puts a squeeze on already tight supplies. Therefore the price of Coriander Seed Oil is likely to remain high.  

CUMIN

FIRM

After consolidation of the 2009 Cumin Seed crops, the situation is confusing. Dealers appear to be facing conflicting price signals from the market, with some insisting that values have gained and others citing declines in prices. 

DILL SEED

FIRM

The market remains firm. 

DILL WEED

FIRM

The market remains firm. 

FENNEL

FIRM

Indian Fennel Seed prices surged due to inadequate monsoon rains in Gujarat, prompting farmers to expand plantings for the 2010 crop. 

FENUGREEK

STEADY

The market has stabilised. 

GARLIC

FIRM

Prices in China continue to climb due to increased domestic demand for fresh Garlic. 

GINGER CHINESE

FIRM

As reported last quarter, increased demand for fresh ginger is continuing to put pressure on the availability of dried root for distillation.  

GINGER OTHER

FIRM

Due to prevailing situations of little carryover, and high demand for fresh ginger, the new crop in Cochin has started at a very high price level, and reductions are not expected. Similarly the Nigerian season about to commence will be interesting as the price worldwide is going up. The Jamaican crop is just available and due to its parochial limitations we invite customer enquiries early to avoid disappointment later in 2010. 

JUNIPER

STEADY

Stable market.

LAUREL

STEADY

The market has steadied. 

LEMONGRASS

STEADY

Stable market. 

LITSEA CUBEBA

WEAK

The market continues in a very depressed state, but there is no room for prices to weaken any further. 

LOVAGE

STEADY

Crops grown in Eastern Europe continue to be readily available with no problems of supply. 

MACE

FIRM

Market prices have surged to an all time high recently. 

MARJORAM

STEADY

The market is steady, but it is observed that shippers are hardly rushing to sell.  

NUTMEG

FIRM

It has transpired that the September earthquake in Sumatra has not affected the Nutmeg Oil market as much as was feared. Prices have stabilised in a market that has been firm for over 12 months.  

ONION

FIRM

The market price for Egyptian Onion Oil has eased slightly. 

OREGANO

STEADY

The market is stable. 

PAPRIKA

FIRM

A good Indian crop currently being harvested is balancing the effect of the poor Chinese crop in Oct/Nov 2009. Steady prices are likely to firm in the long term.  

PARSLEY HERB

STEADY

Stable market. 

PARSLEY SEED

STEADY

Stable market. 

PEPPER BLACK

FIRM

The confusing market situation reported last quarter prevails. Oil prices are extremely high but there are parcels of attractively priced oleoresin to compensate buyers. The current Nov/Dec Indian crop is marginally higher than that of last year but the next major crop from Vietnam due in February may clear the air. 

PEPPER WHITE

FIRM

The market remains firm. 

PEPPERMINT

STEADY

Recent reports from India indicate that farmers disaffected by low prices are switching to more lucrative cash crops. There is plenty of surplus Arvensis (mentha) oil to keep the market adequately supplied until the 2010 crop in June. The MCX market which has the biggest stocks in its warehouses, will need to offload very soon in coming months. Prices are likely to remain low but the future trend requires correction slowly but firmly. The market for Piperita oil which had softened, is expected to firm up also. 

PIMENTO

STEADY

The market is steady with no problems to report. 

ROSEMARY

FIRM

There have been recent upward corrections in prices which appear to be unrelated to the crop situation, for which there have been no reported problems. 

SAGE

FIRM

The market remains firm. 

SAVORY

STEADY

Stable market. 

SPEARMINT

FIRM

The market is still surprisingly strong. 

TARRAGON

STEADY

The 2009 English grown crop which was late, and smaller than anticipated, is currently being processed. There are encouraging signs of growth in demand for the extract which has great tenacity and authenticity. In May the early spring cutting is eagerly awaited.  

THYME

STEADY

The market is steady, but there are continuing problems affecting the quality, as Thyme is easily contaminated with other herbs. 

Never in the history has there been such high prices for Turmeric. The price of the Erode variety is 4 times higher than usual at this point of the season. The price might drop during the season in February