Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future
Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future
Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future
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<strong>Tamarind</strong> in India is mainly produced in <strong>the</strong> States of Maharashtra,<br />
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Uttara Pradesh.<br />
The crop from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh arrives in <strong>the</strong> market in<br />
January, that from Maharashtra arrives in February and from Madhya<br />
Pradesh and Uttara Pradesh at <strong>the</strong> end of February.<br />
Sour types of tamarind comprise about 95% of total world production. India<br />
is <strong>the</strong> major sour tamarind producer in Asia. Its annual production is about<br />
300,000 tonnes. About 20,000 tonnes of TKP is also produced annually in<br />
India, but this could be doubled through improved post harvest and<br />
processing techniques. Annual returns from tamarind seed powder are<br />
estimated at Rs 16 -17 million.<br />
Thailand is <strong>the</strong> second largest producer of tamarind in Asia of which 30% is<br />
<strong>the</strong> sweet type. This is gaining status as a small-scale plantation crop.<br />
Thailand also produces <strong>the</strong> sour type of tamarind and although <strong>the</strong> sour type<br />
dominates <strong>the</strong> sweet type is receiving more demand. Sweet tamarind is<br />
grown on a commercial scale <strong>for</strong> export both in <strong>the</strong> fresh and processed<br />
<strong>for</strong>ms. There is good demand <strong>for</strong> it as a dried fruit, which is packed into<br />
boxes weighing 10-15 kgs and sold in open markets in Thailand. The fresh<br />
pods are also valued and large sweet pods are highly priced, particularly<br />
during <strong>the</strong> off season (Yaacob and Subhadrabandhu, 1995). During <strong>the</strong><br />
1990s <strong>the</strong> tamarind trade expanded with production in 1995 at 140,000<br />
tonnes (Figure 10.1). The ratio of non-bearing area to total production<br />
suggests that production is already expanding.<br />
Tons<br />
150000<br />
100000<br />
50000<br />
0<br />
1985<br />
<strong>Tamarind</strong> - THAILAND.<br />
Production, 1985-95<br />
1987<br />
1989<br />
1991<br />
118<br />
1993<br />
1995<br />
Figure 10.1 <strong>Tamarind</strong> production in Thailand<br />
(Source: Vinning and Moody, 1997)<br />
Production<br />
Sri Lanka and Indonesia are also large tamarind producers in Asia, and in<br />
South America Brazil and Venezuela are sizeable producers. Un<strong>for</strong>tunately