AN ANALYSIS OF TREND AND VARIATION IN PRICES OF LAC AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MARKET IN WEST BENGAL

摘要

The study was undertaken to analyse the trend and variation in prices of lac in important primary, secondary and terminal markets of West Bengal. The secondary data on monthly average prices of lac at primary, secondary and terminal markets were collectedfor a period of 16 years spanningfrom 1990-91 to 2005-06. A positive trend has been shown by the trend equation of rangeeni lac prices during the study period which was statistically significant at one per cent probability level for all three levelsof market. Growth rate of rangeeni lac prices at growers, assembling centers, manufacturing centers and Kolkflta market were found to be 9.12, 9.00, 8.51 and 7.86 per cent per annum respectively. Increase in price at powers level and assembling centers were comparatively higher than that of price increase at manufacturing centers and Kolkata market Seasonality of rangeeni lac prices showed almost similar pattern at all levels of market. Two peaks ofprices have been observed at growers, assembling centers and manufacturing centers. Intrayearprice variation was more at growers and assembling centers level in comparison to manufacturing centers and Kolkata price. The seasonality in prices can be reduced by sustained production and networking of lac production in various lac growing regions of the country.