General Outlook
May 12, 2005
Cumin Seeds
Since the last weeks approx. on same price levels. Turkey
still has difficulties to compete with the origin Syria.
Stocks available and it is still hard to forsee what will
happen to new crop quantity. Most likely it will continue
on the same price-levels as above. Buyers not keen on taking
early positions of new crop merchandise as prices might
even weaken all new crop in Turkey and Syria will enter
the market in July.
Anise Seeds
Prices have firmed up in the last days. This not due to
demand by importers but mostly due to local demand by currently
the 4 main `Raki` producers ( Turkish Anise Seed beverage).
As the monopoly has been lifted up last year more producers
have entered the domestic market with the production of
Raki. These producers are currently competing each other
by securing raw material anise seeds for the production
of Raki. Further the first news is coming in that cultivation
of Anise Seeds is half comparing with last years cultivation.
We expect large downfall in crop quantity and if demand
from buyers abroad will be more active we even expect higher
levels for the months to come. New Turkish crop available
by 2nd half of July.
Poppy Seeds
Very steady since months for Blue Poppy. White Poppy prices
strongly up due to shortage of raw material in combination
with demand from abroad. New crop Poppy seeds coming out
during the month of August.
Fennel Seeds
We notice stable prices since the last months. As new crop
only by end of August we might see some firming up of the
prices, just depending on the demand. Of course Turkey is
competing with cheaper origins like India. Of course quality
is premium from Turkey with good Volatile Oil level and
often nice coloured seeds, well cleaned.
Laurel Leaves
The market for pressed material has stablelized between
1800 – 1850 level. Buyers just not willing to pay
much higher prices for FAQ and Semi Select pressed material.
Raw material still available. We do not expect market to
come down before new crop enters by end of August / September.
Demand from Hong Kong importers is high during September
/ October and for sure we will not see the prices back to
the levels that we have seen 3 years ago of $ 1000 –
1200 for pressed material. Sales of even $ 900 – 950
per M/t have been reported at that time for FAQ material.
Our supplier is still able to offer limited quantity of
nice Fancy Hand Select 4-7cm and 5-10 material from stock
and ready for prompt shipments.
Oregano
Very stable and with new crop coming ahead in July some
exporters started their `sale` with reducing their prices
in order to clear up their stocks. An excellent time to
take some extra coverage at attractive levels before the
new season starts. New crop will be good as weather conditions
are favourable. However, it all depends on the prices for
the raw material that producers are willing to give. Villagers
just have no interest to cut the wild oregano if prices
to low. We expect new crop prices to be slightly above the
levels mentioned in our price list above.
Sage
Weather conditions are favourable. New crop will enter same
periode as Oregano. Total crop quantity in Turkey is not
very high and indications are between 350 – 500 M/t
in total. That`s the main reason why prices are quit firm
for the real Sage `Salvia Triloba`. Collection of the raw
material is a short periode and is restricted to certain
area`s. As were Oregano is widely grown all over Turkey,
Sage is mainly from the South-West and South of Turkey.
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Limited stocks available. New crop drying will start as
from 15th of July on to the 1st week of September. Contract
should be made at this stage for large quantity or product
with a specific requirement regarding SO2, Moisture &
Salt Level of the product.
Capers
New crop collecting will start by end of June / July and
will last untill mid September. Mostly a periode of 90 days.
Prices and availability of Capers will fully depend on the
activity by exporters / producers and how much the market
is willing to pay for the raw material. Above prices are
for crop 2004 merchandise and all sizes can be offered for
prompt shipments. We assume that prices have come to lowest
levels and we expect new crop prices either be the same
or slightly higher.
Please contact us should you have any questions or additional
info regarding above items.
Mondial Int'l Agency Ltd.
