Black Pepper Imports from Vietnam and Brazil May Also Increase

11-Sep-2026 01:24 PM

Mangaluru: A director of the Indian Pepper and Spice Trade Association stated that the country likely lacks sufficient black pepper stocks to meet festive season demand, and with indications of a weak upcoming harvest, efforts are being made to import the spice from abroad. Rainfall in the southern states has been significantly deficient.

According to the association, Indian importers are currently prioritizing black pepper imports from Sri Lanka. This is because Sri Lanka has seen excellent production this season, India allows duty-free or concessional-duty imports up to a certain quantity, and sourcing from there entails lower shipment costs and shorter transit times. Currently, black pepper prices stand at approximately $6,900 per tonne in Sri Lanka and $7,800 per tonne in India.

If domestic demand and consumption of black pepper surge, efforts may also be made to increase imports from countries like Vietnam and Brazil. At present, export offer prices for black pepper are reported at $6,000 per tonne in Vietnam and $5,800 per tonne in Brazil.

Growers in Kerala's Idukki district are shifting from black pepper to small cardamom cultivation due to a significant rise in cardamom prices. Demand for Indian cardamom in the international market has strengthened considerably following a poor harvest in Guatemala.

Trade analysts note that strong Indian demand has driven up black pepper prices in Sri Lanka, even though prices there should ideally have remained subdued given the excellent production.