EUROPEAN spice traders are expecting global cardamom prices to remain firm over the coming months due to a smaller than anticipated 2004/05 Guatemalan crop. Guatemala is the world's largest cardamom producer and exporter so international prices are determined by the size of its crop. Typically, harvesting is undertaken between September and March. Last August, initial trade forecasts had pegged the 2004/05 crop at between 27,000 and 28,000 tonnes compared with an estimated 21,000 to 23,000 tonnes in 2003/04... Read More