: Export prospects of cardamom to European Union and Gulf countries have suffered a setback with the detection of artificial colours added to the product.
It was found that artificial green colour was added to cardamom before moving it to the dryer units.
Farmers resort to this practice to get higher price in the market. The prices of cardamom are decided by its colour, shape and smell.
The Spices Board of India has issued a note to the pooling centres to keep vigil on artificial colours as it would negatively impact on its export prospects and internal market. Indian cardamom is known for its higher quality in the international market than that of its main competitor, Guatemala, where the cost of production is much lower. The artificial colour could mar this, according to the Spices Board. A campaign has already begun in the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) area to discourage farmers from adding artificial colour to the product.
Indian cardamom is mainly exported to the Gulf countries. A few months back, the import of cardamom from Kerala was found to be of low quality due to artificial colour and high pesticide residues. It would also result in imposing a ban on cardamom and its value-added products from the country, according to marketing sources.
The cardamom will get its natural green colour through scientific way of cultivation and timely harvesting.
Adding artificial colour will damage the entire market, say marketing sources.
Joy Varghese, a farmer at Kattappana, said that he did not know about adding artificial colour to cardamom. Some small-scale farmers may have resorted to it, thereby damaging the markets.
Damaging market
Farmers add green colour to cardamom before moving it to dryer units to fetch better price
Prices of cardamom decided by colour, shape and smell
Spices Board urges pooling centres to keep vigil
