Harvest Time in Kerala for Black Pepper

In the lush fields of Kerala, farmers are bustling with activity as they gear up for the black pepper harvest. This year, however, they're not alone. Black pepper from Sri Lanka is making its way into Indian markets regularly, stirring up the local spice scene. As more of these imports hit the shelves, there’s a whisper of price changes in the air, hinting at a potentially bumpy market ahead.

A Pinch of Challenge in Production of Pepper

The weather hasn’t been too kind to our pepper plants. With Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—our top spice-producing stars—facing some climate hiccups. Experts are predicting that these little black gems might see a production drop of 10-15% in the 2024-25 season. But it’s not all cloudy skies; the new crop will soon begin to roll in, promising a peppery bounty starting next month, with even more to follow from Karnataka.

Shopping Smart: Stockists’ New Strategy

As prices saw a slight climb, those holding the pepper pots—our local stockists—decided to skip the middleman. Why jostle at auction centers when you can get a better deal directly from the farmers? This change is helping keep their costs down, which is crucial as affordable imports continue to flow in from Sri Lanka, keeping the market on its toes.

Over in Kochi, black pepper prices are holding strong at USD 79 - 79,5 per kg. It seems the market isn’t quite ready to let go of its spice just yet, keeping prices steady despite the growing supply.

Exports: A Peppery Success

On the international stage, Indian black pepper is turning heads. In the first half of this financial year—from April to September 2024—we’ve seen exports shoot up to 10,150 tonnes, a nice jump from last year’s 8,094 tonnes. This isn’t just good news for our farmers; it’s a boost for our economy, with export earnings looking better than ever.





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