IPC SPECIAL ISSUE ON CLOVES - FEBRUARY, 2020 PART 1

#CLOVES #INDONESIA

A little bit of History


The distribution of clove plants out of the Moluccas began in 1769. The spread of clove plants to regions of Indonesia such as Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan began in 1870. Today, clove plants have spread throughout the world.

Producing Areas

In 2019, the top 10 largest area of cloves cultivation were estimated to be North Sulawesi Province with 74,940 Ha, Central Sulawesi Province with 71,704 Ha, South Sulawesi Province with 63,136 Ha, East Java Province with 46,043 Ha, Maluku Province with 44,161 Ha, Central Java Province with 42,037 Ha, West Java Province with 35,697 Ha, South East Sulawesi with 31,388 Ha, Aceh Province with 25,530 Ha and North Maluku Province with 21,157 Ha.

Harvest in Indonesia

Harvest season in various producing area in Indonesia varied depending on the local climatic conditions. In Sumatra Island: flower buds grow between October - November and the harvest season is around April - June. Whilst, in Java Island: flower buds grow from November to January, so the harvest falls in May - July. In Maluku Island: flower buds grow between May - July and harvest season is between October - January. Whilst, in other areas the harvest occurred between July - October. Though, generally clove flowering and harvesting in Indonesia occur once a year, the harvest lasts a minimum of three months. Normally, cloves planting at 15 - 20 years of age would be able to produce around 3 kg per tree.

Uses of Cloves in Indonesia

In 2018, Indonesia as the largest producer of cloves in the world contributed to 74% or 123,399 Mt of global production and followed by Madagascar with 14% or 23,325 Mt. Since the 21st century, Indonesia became the largest cloves producer and consumer countries. Cloves in Indonesia are mostly used to supply the cigarette factories. Therefore, from the industrial side, Indonesia domestic production has met the needs of the processing sector. Furthermore, in 2019 the need for processing sector was estimated at 110,000 Mt which was around 83% of the total production and was fully absorbed by cigarette companies such as PT. Djarum Kudus, PT. Gudang Garam, PT. Sampoerna, etc.

Area of Production

The area under cloves cultivation in Indonesia fluctuated with a rather increasing trend. During 1961-2018 Indonesia area of plantation was reported with significant increase of 541,212 Ha. The average increase of cloves area of plantation in the course of half century was recorded 9% per year with the highest increase recorded in 1968 with an increase of 96% as compared with the previous year. In 2018, the area under cloves cultivation in Indonesia recorded the largest ever in the history with a total of 561,212 Ha, recording an increase of 2% when compared to 2017. Furthermore, for the year 2019 the area under cloves cultivation was estimated to increase by 2% to 571,305 Ha. The increase in the area of cloves plantation could be contributed to the massive cloves demand from domestic and international cloves market (Table 2).

Production of Cloves

Indonesian production of cloves during 1961-2018 was also fluctuated with a rather positive trend, recording an increase of 116,399 Mt to a total of 123,399 Mt in 2018. The average increase of cloves production in the past 58 year was reported by 11% per year with the highest increase recorded in 1966 with an increase of 103% as compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the highest production of Indonesia cloves was reported in 2015 with 139,641 Mt whilst the lowest occurred in 1962 with only 6,600 Mt. In addition, production of Indonesia cloves in 2019 was estimated to decrease by 3% when compared to 2018 to a total of 120,000 Mt.

Productivity

Cloves productivity in Indonesia during 1961-2018 was reported to be fluctuated with a rather stable trend. In the past 3 years cloves productivity in Indonesia saw decreasing trend to a total of 220 Kg per Ha in 2018. Since 1961 to 2018, cloves productivity in Indonesia was reported with a decrease by 37%. The average increase of cloves productivity in Indonesia was reported at 2% per year and the highest was reported in 1973 with 483 Kg per Ha whilst the lowest occurred in 1985 with only 144 Kg per Ha (Table 3). Furthermore, in 2019, Indonesia cloves productivity was estimated at 210 Kg per Ha or a decrease of 4% as compared to 2018. Despite Indonesian Government efforts in recent years developing a superior seed of clove which could be used by planters to replanting old or damaged plants andalso to boost the productivity of cloves plantations as well as the Directorate General of Plantations of Indonesia application of good agricultural practices (GAP) to clove plantation in vario us clove producing area, Indonesia's clove productivity was yet to show an increase trend following a decreasing streak which started in 2016.

SEE NEXT TOMORROW - EXPORTS & PRICES

This report was elaborated under the supervision of International Pepper Community and information provided by the sources below:
- International Trade Centre (ITC) - Geneva
- Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
- Agricultural Commodity Export-Import Database, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia
- Agricultural Commodity Price Information, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia
- Directorate General of Estate Crops, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia

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Brazilian Cloves Crop & Market

New Cloves crop in Bahia is a step away of start harvesting

Prices are high at the moment for what is left from the last season - around R$ 24.00 per kilo small lots and weak quality sold to local consumption. If processed for export a loss of 30% should be considered for cleaning, selecting and packing.
In dolar terms it corresponds today to U$ 6.00/kg. (1U$ = 4R$)

Regarding international trade Brazilian cloves ever follows the price trend of MZC origin with some discount depending on the volumes offered and demanded.

The 2019/2020 crop forecast is estimated at a maximum of 5 thousand tons and if realized will be an average crop. Must be considered that some 700 to 800 tons are sold to the local consumption

The maximum harvested in Brazil was in 2013 and reached 9 thousand tons.

ORION FEITOSA

SRI LANKA - Spices industry affected by falling prices

 The biggest problem faced by the spices industry is the present declining prices, lamented Rumesh Jayasuriya, Chairman, Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders Association (SPPTA), speaking at the 35th AGM of the SPPTA held at Ramada Hotel Colombo, last week.

By Quintus Perera
27 August 2019

The biggest problem faced by the spices industry is the present declining prices, lamented Rumesh Jayasuriya, Chairman, Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders Association (SPPTA), speaking at the 35th AGM of the SPPTA held at Ramada Hotel Colombo, last week.

He pointed out that the industry has to improve unrestrained innovation and show continuous improvements among growers, plantations, processors, brokers, exporters, etc and noted that the international market has been transformed into a borderless technology-driven market place.

He indicated that the consumers world over are knowledgeable and discerning as they wanted experiences and products that reflect their fast-paced lifestyles and convenience. 

On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Jayasuriya told the Business Times that the decrease in the pepper prices could be identified as the main reason for the downfall of spices prices as the Indian Government has imposed a minimum import price (MIP) for black pepper.  That is Indian Rs. 500 (Rs.1,250) per kg exported to India.

The imposition of this MIP, he said has made it technically difficult now to export black pepper to India and asserted that earlier these exports were not subject to a MIP in India. He said that the industry is rather concerned of this new development and blamed the government for not negotiating with the Indian Government for its removal.

He said that the delay in the certificate by ISFTA (Into-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement) and the SFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) to certain spices such as nutmeg and pepper is also another constraint.

The high cost of production is also another issue where they find difficulties in competing in the international market, as he said that the cost of production is very low in other exporting countries.

He said that there is another danger emerging – that is the illegal importation of spices as there were several occasions of such imports being detected.  He was worried that there is no proper legal mechanism to stop illegal import of spices and no proper legal action has been taken to punish those wrongdoers. 

More than 70 per cent of spice exports are to Asian and West Asian destinations while the balance goes to Europe and North America, he said.

Dr. A.P. Heenkende, Director General, Department of Export Agriculture, in his keynote address said that despite challenges, spice and allied products is a major contributor in exports.

It was 48,331 metric tonnes (Mt) in 2018 compared to 59,000 Mt in 2017 with the drop attributed to the decline in the export of cloves and Areca nuts. Cinnamon exports grew from around 2016. 

He said that US was the main buyer of Cinnamon leaf and bark oils, Citronella oil, Ginger oil and Lemon grass oil in 2018. France, Canada, India, Spain and Germany were the main buyers of Cardamom oil, Clove oil, Nutmeg oil, Pepper oil and Vanilla oil in 2018.

The average annual farm-gate price of Coffee, Clove, Cinnamon quills, Mace, Cardamom and Betel had increased in 2018 while betel exports registered a high price in 2018, he indicated.

He cautioned that Sri Lanka has to rethink on how to find a long term solution for this major problem in the spice sector and said that the government has taken policy decisions regarding the complete ban on imports of Cinnamon, black pepper, Nutmeg, Turmeric and Areca nut.

Ghulam Chatoor, Founder Chairman, SAPPTA, was the guest of honour at the occasion.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1100123/spices-industry-affected-by-falling-prices




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India Spices: Wednesday, Aug 14

By Preeti Bhagat

NEW DELHI – Futures contracts of all spices on domestic exchanges, barring mentha oil and jeera, ended lower today.

Coriander futures on National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange hit a 10-week low of 5,810 rupees per 100 kg because of imports from Ukraine, Russia and Bulgaria, said Kamal Vijayvargia, a Kota-based dealer.
"Weather is very favourable right now for next season's sowing, which is a negative factor for prices… Imports have also risen a lot and are coming into India at $650 per tn," he said.

Contracts of jeera ended higher as investors covered their short positions after prices hit an over four-month low of 16,810 rupees per 100 kg in early trade today.
The rise in prices today was also because arrivals in Gujarat's Unjha market fell by 4,000 bags (1 bag = 55 kg) to 6,000 bags, said Mahesh Yadav, a local dealer.

Turmeric futures ended in the red because of profit booking after prices hit a three-week high of 7,198 rupees a 100 kg on Tuesday.

Futures contracts of mentha oil on Multi Commodity Exchange hit a two-month high of 1,324 rupees per kg due to strong demand from domestic stockists and pharmaceutical companies, said Rajiv Gupta, a Sambhal-based spice oil trader.

Cardamom futures hit the 4% maximum lower circuit today as heavy rainfall in Kerala is likely to help plantations with better fruit formation and growth, traders said.

Heavy-to-very heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala during the next 48 hours due to a cyclonic circulation over northwest Arabian Sea, India Meteorological Department said. It also issued a 'red alert' for the state today.

On Indian Commodity Exchange, the August pepper contract traded lower following reports that the Sri Lankan government is likely to hold talks with India for relaxing the minimum import price of the spice.
Currently, Sri Lankan exports up to 2,500 tn of pepper to India at zero duty under the Indo-Sri Lankan Free Trade Agreement. Exports over and above this quantity are subject to 8% duty under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement.


This copy was first published on the Cogencis WorkStation
© Cogencis Information Services Ltd. 2019. All rights reserved.



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REPORT ABOUT PRESENT BLACK PEPPER MARKET & TRENDS

IN THE LAST DAYS RE GOT TO KNOW SOME REPORTS ABOUT BLACK PEPPER MARKET.

INTERESTING READING FOR THE ONES OPERATING IN THIS TRADE.

Vietnam – Although fresh demand from the world market is missing, prices are holding steady to firm.
A record quantity has been exported: March (37,000 tons), April (36,000 tons) and May
(37,000 tons) bringing a total volume to approximately 143,000 tons till May 2019;
36% more exports than 2018 in similar period.

We have not observed such stunning export figures in our 26 years of trading history. Knowing 8 more months to new crop,
farmers and dealers are now in a comfortable position to hold remaining quantities without panic. This is very much evident from arrival of goods and gradual rise in raw pepper prices.  

Their comfort level will increase more once 60-70% of crop is out of Vietnam.
In May, raw prices remained between 44000 to 46000 dong/kg.
China keep supporting the pepper market and their pepper imports have risen to 70% from 2018 followed by USA and India to 27% and 10% respectively.

Buyers keep pushing for lower prices. We have not seen very aggressive offers for future shipments as all of them feel more risk than reward.
Destination markets need to consume extra volume imported during last 3 months.
Not to forget that combined Middle East and Asia has become one of the largest pepper
consumer market in recent years and their constant support to origin keep prices steady.

Limited numbers of orders in hand with exporters do indicate that coverage for second half is yet to come.
Low pepper prices and higher maintenance cost are pushing few farmers to cut trees and plant some other commodities.
Farmers in Chu Puh and Chu Sê districts—two key pepper growing areas who had invested for a dozen of pillars that covered one hectare are now selling the same number of pillars in lower cost as many of them have gone bankrupt.
Add to pot, young trees are also dying due to poor care of farmers, poor maintenance of current
vines and virtually no new plantation, crop size will reduce gradually while world consumption in general increases by 3-4% annually.
Expect volatile days in 2020 and beyond.
Imports to India via Nepal may halt due to 100% additional duty (from 10-20%) has been imposed recently in their annual budget presented in end May.

Indonesia – No bad news so far. Expecting similar or slightly better crop than 2018. However, no selling pressure or any aggressive pricing from numbered top-class shippers.

Brazil – It is interesting to note that for the first time, Brazil is not discounting to Vietnam prices. In fact, quotes from Brazil are now in line with Vietnam. This firmness is attributed to strong currency and depleted inventories.
Brazil too have exported large volume in the last 5 months (approx. 40,000 tons).
Their new crop from Para region to start in August – September.
We have not seen any selling pressure yet. First class shippers prefer to stay away from sharp bids.
If Vietnam continues to be firm, world demand may shift to Brazil which may help Brazil to stabilize further.
In general, there is resistance at low prices.
Demand from Europe has slowed down due to the new import regulation on salmonella and at the same time volume from Vietnam has increased considerably for European ports.

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