Prices of cardamom, also known as the "queen of spices," have increased by 20% month-on-month in October to ₹1,900 per kg at the farm gate level in the Idukki district of Kerala. This is a significant rise from ₹1,100 per kg a year ago. The price surge is attributed to a 30% decrease in cardamom production, which has been caused by low rainfall during the cropping time. However, concerns have been raised about the illegal influx of cardamom from Guatemala.
