W Sumatra Cinnamon Price Continues To Increase

Padang, (Antaranews Sumbar) - The price of cinnamon (cassiavera) in West Sumatra continues to increase such as in 2016 Rp24,000 per kilogram and 2017 reached Rp32,000 per kilogram, Chairman of provincial Association of Indonesian Farmers Growers (Gapperindo), Irman stated.

"The demand from abroad is quite high, while there is no significant increase in production," he said in Padang, Monday.

In March 2018, he said the price of cinnamon bark penetrates Rp40,000 per kilogram, the price is at the collecting merchant level, while the price of the gardening community is on average reduced by about Rp4,000 per kilogram from that price.

In general, cinnamon bark is exported to the United States. Later the other countries will imported cinnamon bark from Indonesia too namely Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

West Sumatra needs government breakthroughs to increase cinnamon production, such as seedlings and technical guidance that gives farmers an understanding to be more motivated.

In addition, he continued, research is needed by universities and other professional research institutions to find superior cinnamon seeds.

"So far there has been no research that develops cinnamon seeds," he said.

If there is research that can produce superior varieties such as thicker cinnamon bark, or aroma more fragrant, then the selling value is also higher.

Although not a national commodity superior, but with cinnamon gardening there are many people who feel the benefits.

Therefore, it needs regional movement to keep paying attention to the productivity of cinnamon bark, because it will always be needed both national and export level, he added. (cha)