Is it better to sell curry leaf fresh in the mandi or dry it for processors? Which gives better returns?
3 जवाब
Both channels work and the right choice depends on your situation. Fresh leaf to the vegetable mandi, hotels and spice traders gives quick, regular cash and needs no processing, but it is perishable, so you must sell quickly and prices dip when local supply is high. Dried leaf and oleoresin go to spice processors and have export interest, can store longer and reduce glut risk, but drying must be done well to keep colour and aroma, adds labour and equipment, and needs a confirmed processor buyer. Many growers sell mostly fresh locally and dry the surplus when fresh prices are low, if they have a dried buyer. Decide based on your nearest market, your access to a processor, and your ability to dry well. Confirm the buyer and price for whichever form before committing to it, and you can use both channels to balance risk.
I sell fresh when rates are good and dry the extra when the market is flooded. Having both options saved me from distress selling. But drying needs a buyer too.
Drying well is a skill. Badly dried leaf loses colour and smell and the processor pays little. Get the drying right before counting on that channel.