Kottayam, March 12
Spot rubber prices continued to explore new highs on Friday. The market moved up catalysed by the smart gains in domestic rubber futures while supply concerns kept the buyers on their toes during the day. Sheet rubber improved to Rs 148 from Rs 146 a kg on fresh buying and short covering. The transactions were meagre.
Futures up
The March futures for RSS 4 flared up to Rs 149.15 (146.11), April to Rs 152.51 (150.80), May to Rs 156.33 (154.70) and June to Rs 158.80 (157.77) a kg on National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE). RSS 3 March futures improved to ¥296.2 (¥293) (Rs 148.88), April to ¥294.2 (¥291.9), May to ¥293.7 (¥292.9) and June to ¥292.6 (¥291.6) while the July futures slipped to ¥290.7 (¥291.1) and August to ¥289.6 (¥291) a kg during the day session on Tokyo Commodity Exchange. RSS 3 firmed up to Rs 149.69 (148.59) a kg on Singapore Commodity Exchange.
Spot rates were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 148 (146); RSS-5: 146.50 (144); ungraded: 145 (143); ISNR 20: 145.00 (142.50) and latex 60 per cent: 95 (95)
Searing heat could wither plantation sector hopes
Temperature rises to 42 degrees C in Kerala plains.
Kochi March 12
The early onset of summer and soaring temperatures could herald bad tidings for the South Indian plantation industry.
With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels of 42 degrees Celsius in early March in the plains of Kerala, the outlook for the rubber, tea, cardamom, cocoa, coffee and cinnamon plantations is cloudy.
The 37 degrees Celsius in rubber-growing belt of Kottayam this week is unheard of, and augur bad times for the cash crop.
Although the increased rubber production during the winter months of January and February could alleviated some of the production shortfalls this fiscal, the high temperatures could undermine the crop in March, trade sources warned.
Summer showers
However, spiralling temperatures often herald the arrival of summer showers which could recharge the production and productivity after the relatively dormant wintering period.
But the planters in Kerala's High Ranges point out that the customary summer showers of end-February and early-March have been delayed this year.
With the advent of these summer showers, a new flush of leaves sprout on tea plants and plucking activity commences afresh.
But they also pointed out that the delay is not quite abnormal, though the sharp rise in temperature for this time of the year is.
Spices production
The sharp rise in temperature once it gravitates up into the highlands could hamper production of crops such as cardamom, which are highly vulnerable to moisture stress.
The temperatures up in Udimpinchola, the heartland of cardamom plantations are also beginning to rise.
In the absence of summer showers and a protracted long and dry summer, the production and survival of cardamom plantations themselves could be impacted, a planter from the region said.
Good summer showers are a must for a good cocoa crop.
This is all the more the case for the rain-fed cocoa cultivators of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, a large number of whom have no recourse to irrigation.
As it is, the productivity of cocoa plantations of these states is far lower than those of the rich, fertile and water-rich regions of Kerala, sources in cocoa trade said.
In the case of cinnamon, which is a tree crop, it is not likely to be much impacted by the present high temperatures and delayed summer rains. But if the situation is extended into the coming months as well, the productivity could be affected.
M.R. Subramani reports from Chennai: The delay in pre-monsoon showers could affect the robusta crop which requires rains 50-60 days after the last rains.
Currently, coffee growers are managing the situation through irrigation.
Rain in December has helped augment the ground water table and in the reservoirs.
If the rain is delayed beyond April, then the setting in the coffee plants could be affected, plantation industry sources said.
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