India turns net importer of pepper

India is practically out of the global pepper export with the total exports in 2012 equivalent to just 10 per cent of Vietnam, the world’s largest producer. In 2012, Vietnam exported 116,962 tonnes of pepper (100,381 tonnes of black pepper and 16,581 tonnes of white pepper). According to data available, India exported around 12,000 tonnes. India, which was the top exporter till 1995, has turned a net importer of the spice in the last calendar year.

Compared to 2011, Vietnam’s export of black pepper increased 463 tonnes, while that of white pepper fell 1,917 tonnes. The total turnover was $794 million, with black pepper contributing $642 million and white giving $152 million, according to latest data from the Vietnam Pepper Association. Compared to 2011, turnover of black pepper increased 18 per cent and that of white pepper rose three per cent. India is nowhere in the global export market and data on exports in 2012 have not yet been released by the Spices Board.

Earlier, the board was keen on releasing the export-import data on a monthly basis. But now they are not revealing the data to the media or the local exporters.

According to unofficial data prepared by some leading traders, India faced a setback on the export front with total exports of just 12,000 tonnes in 2012. This is chiefly due to the high prices offered by India throughout the year. India’s prices have been $600-700 a tonne higher on an average for the past three-four years.

Interestingly, India had imported 15,000 tonnes during 2012, making the country a net importer of pepper. India’s shipment was over 20,000 tonnes couple of years back, but now it is not a major destination for pepper.

The average export price of pepper in Vietnam in 2012 was $6,390 a tonne ($927 higher than the average price in 2011) and that of white pepper was $9,176 a tonne ($1,220 higher than 2011), according to VPA data.

The major import markets for Vietnam pepper are the US, Germany, Holland, India, Singapore, Spain and Egypt. Europe imported 45,609 tonnes, while Asian countries imported 42,249 tonnes. The US imported 17,147 tonnes in 2012.

On the global export front, India has now slipped to fourth spot after Vietnam, Indonesia and Brazil. Sri Lanka, which exports close to 10,000 tonnes, is a real threat to India and is weakening India’s position in the global market.