Mumbai The increased exports of red chilli have once again cemented market interest in the spice as traders and speculators have resumed fresh buying in red chilli futures. After yesterday's recovery, the futures were trading up near two per cent on heavy buying during early hours of trade on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) Tuesday. The other spices, including cumin-seed, black pepper and turmeric, were also trading up with small gains. Coriander futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), however, dipped around two per cent amid heavy profit-booking.

RED CHILLI: After entering the green territory with sizeable gains yesterday, red chilli futures jumped higher by nearly two per cent amid heavy buying and short covering by traders and speculators during early hours of trade on the NCDEX Tuesday. At 10.53 am IST, NCDEX October red chilli jumped Rs 84 to trade at Rs 5,336/quintal with a volume of 350 tonnes. Benchmark December red chilli traded up Rs 88 at Rs 5,557/quintal with a volume of 105 tonnes.

Spot red chilli prices failed to witness fluctuation and remained firm at the previous level at the benchmark market Guntur in Andhra Pradesh Monday. Around 40,000 bags of red chilli from cold-storage and 1,000-1,500 bags from non-cold-storage arrived today. As of August 29, demat stocks of red chilli at NCDEX-monitored warehouses were at 1,316 tonnes.

CUMIN-SEED: Cumin-seed futures moved up further amid continued buying interest among traders and speculators during early hours of session on the NCDEX Tuesday. At 10.49 am IST, NCDEX September cumin-seed rose Rs 15 to trade at Rs 11,720/quintal. Benchmark October contract traded up Rs 29 at Rs 11,933/quintal. Volume for September and October contracts was 441 and 681 tonnes respectively.

Spot cumin-seed continued to trade steady amid normal business activities at the benchmark spices market Unjha in Gujarat Monday. Traders say domestic traders and exporters are buying in the market. The market saw arrivals of 1,500 bags while 4,500-5,000 bags were traded by the noon. As of August 29, demat stock of cumin-seed at NCDEX-monitored warehouses was 1,985 tonnes while 12 tonnes were in process.

BLACK PEPPER: Black pepper futures extended yesterday's gains and traded up marginally amid fresh buying by traders and speculators during intraday trade on the NCDEX Tuesday. At 10.45 am IST, NCDEX September black pepper rose Rs 26 to trade at Rs 14,036/quintal. Benchmark October contract traded up Rs 21 at Rs 14,320/quintal. Volume in September and October contracts was 93 tonnes and 211 tonnes respectively.

Spot black pepper was quoted lower by Rs 100/quintal amid continued dull business activities in the domestic physical markets Monday. Traders say, black pepper demand for the winter season will start coming very soon. Demand from Europe and the United States is also expected to come during this period. As of August 29, demat stock of black pepper at NCDEX-monitored warehouses was 5,509 tonnes while10 tonnes were in process.

TURMERIC: Turmeric futures regained some strength and traded upside amid short covering and slow buying by traders during initial hours of trade on the NCDEX Tuesday. At 10.50 am IST, NCDEX October turmeric jumped Rs 23 to trade at Rs 3,845/quintal with a volume of 2410 tonnes. Benchmark December contract traded up Rs 27 at Rs 3,979/quintal with a volume 1300 tonnes.

The current turmeric stock across the country is said to be of 20 lakh bags. Traders say turmeric sowing in the country has increased by 35 per cent to 40 per cent due to its higher prices this year. Therefore, turmeric production the next season is expected to be 50 lakh to 52 lakh bags. Though, this is an initial estimate. Meanwhile, trading at the benchmark Sangli market in Maharashtra was sluggish as traders were busy for Paryushan-Parv Monday. As of August 29, demat stock of turmeric at NCDEX-monitored warehouses was of 3,128 tonnes.

CORIANDER: Coriander futures lost gains of the last couple of sessions and drowned two per cent amid profit-booking by traders during initial hours of trade on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) Tuesday. At 10.40 am IST, MCX September coriander dropped Rs 178 to trade at Rs 8,478/quintal with a volume of nine lots. Benchmark October coriander traded down Rs 174 at Rs 8,591/quintal with a volume of nine lots.