MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) – India’s black pepper production is expected to drop 18 per cent to 53,000 tonnes in 2016 due to erratic weather during growth period.
However global pepper output for 2016 was projected higher due to increased production in Vietnam and Indonesia, the forecast was made during 43rd annual session of International Pepper Community (IPC), held at Mysuru.
The global pepper production is estimated at 413,710 tonnes, up 1.5 per cent at 6,555 tonnes from last year. IPC has also projected higher exports for the year. Pepper exports are expected to rise 18,000 at 312,535 tonnes against last year.
“Drought and untimely rain in major pepper producing area of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the key reason for the fall in output,” said A Jaythilak, Chairman Spice Board (also current IPC Chairman).
“Further many area in Karnataka have been affected due to pest attack,” Jaythilak added.
Jaythilak projected that global carry forward stock in 2016 would be lower by around 17,000 tonnes amid higher consumption and export.
The carry forward stock in India is likely at 2,598 tonnes versus 9,598 tonnes in current year.
Vietnam and Indonesia are the top pepper producing in the world, followed by India at third place. At present, Indian pepper at $10,700 a tonne cf for Europe and $10,950 a tonne cf for USA is higher than pepper from other origins like Vietnam and Indonesia.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)