India has a near monopoly in this item. Till recently, Myrobalans were primarily used in sole leather tanning as it has lower phosphorous value. However other vegetable tanners such as Quebracho, Mimosa, Chestnut, have grown more important over the years. Since past few years it has been observed that demand of Myrobalans are declining as synthetics substitutes have also been developed. But their medicinal utility has remained intact and gaining popularity due to shifting interest towards herbal system of medicine.

Production and pricing

The overall trend of myrobalans procurement by GCC is declining as can be seen from the figure. What can also be observed is that sales of the produces have been less then procurement in most of the years. Apart from material loss, the agency is increasingly finding it difficult to dispose the produces specially harida as the markets have crashed in the whole country.

The price trends though increasing for most of the 90s, have started declining in the last 2 years that implies declining market demand for the produces. However it is believed that the demand for Aonla is slowly reviving as it is being increasingly used in the medicinal preparations.

Figure : Production and Sales of Myrobalans (in MT)

Figure : Procurement and Sales Price of Myrobalans (Rs. / Kg)

Important trade aspects

GCC holds monopoly rights of procuring Myrobalans in the state. Though it has got monopoly rights over myrobalans as a whole, the present price list of GCC only gives the buying price of Aonla. GCC encouraged procurement of green amla through forward sale in 2001 so that it knows the quantity to be procured and the price beforehand. Private players play a major role in the procurement as GCC buys the produce in a very limited quantity.