Preparations for black pepper harvesting continue in all three major producing states
07-Jun-2024 08:17 PM
Kodagu. The condition of black pepper crop is said to be good in all three top producing states of the country- Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and preparations for harvesting are going on vigorously there. In Kerala, about 75 percent of the crop has been harvested and the process is going on in full swing in Karnataka, while in Tamil Nadu, harvesting is almost over.
According to a leading analyst, industrial consumption of black pepper is increasing due to the rapid increase in demand for spices and pickles and hence consumer industries are being forced to keep a stock of black pepper sufficient to meet the requirement for one and a half months.
On the other hand, in Kerala, due to climate change and severe drought, black pepper vines have been badly affected in most of the production areas. Due to which a possibility of a significant decline in its production is being expressed there.
But another analyst says that this time the condition of the crop is very good especially in winters, so the total production of black pepper at the national level can jump from 95 thousand tons last year to 1.10 lakh tons in the current year.
This figure is quite similar to the government estimate. The analyst says that this time the area under black pepper plantation has increased in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
It is known that usually the average production of black pepper in the country is estimated to be 65-70 thousand tons. According to the analyst, the price of black pepper has increased and its trend in the future will also depend on how much imports are made from Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
There are reports that the import of black pepper from these two countries will continue in the future as well.
The business of black pepper is done only in the spot market, so it has no connection with futures trading. Karnataka is its largest producer state and black pepper is being purchased in coffee and betel nut plantations there, due to which stability or strength is maintained in the market.