Where does red sandal grow in India?
The Eastern Ghats’ red soils at high altitudes in the Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor, and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh, South India, are ideal for growing red sandalwood. Dig a hole that is approximately a foot deep, fill it with water, and choose a planting location with a loam and sand mixture that drains well.
Only the Seshachalam hills in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh are home to the unique and endemic Red Sandalwood. The IUCN categorised it as an endangered species because South India overexploited it for its timber.
Because of its great rarity, the wood is highly prized throughout South East Asia and the Gulf countries. As 1 kg is reportedly sold for millions of dollars on the international market and costs between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, it makes sense that there would be a lot of smuggling.
Red sandalwood price per kg 2022
In 2022, The typical price range for red sandalwood is between Rs 1000 and Rs 5000 per kilogram. The cost varies depending on factors like quality, use, duration, etc.