Pepper, jeera weaken on subdued demand

Pepper and jeera prices fell up to Rs 200 per quintal in the national capital today due to slowing demand at prevailing higher levels.

Weak trends in futures trade and increased arrivals in spot markets here also put pressure on the prices.

Black pepper prices declined by Rs 200 to settle at Rs 19,700-19,800 per quintal. Jeera common and jeera best quality also fell by Rs 100 each to conclude at Rs 12,500-12,700 and Rs 13,900-14,400 per quintal, respectively.

Marketmen said reduced offtake by local parties at higher levels, mainly put pressure on the pepper and jeera prices.

Following are today's quotations (per quintal):

Ajwain 13,500-19,000, black pepper common 19,700-19,800 betelnut (kg) 98-120, cardamom brown-Jhundiwali (kg) 690-715 and cardamom brown-Kanchicut (kg) 790-900

Cardamom small (kg): Chitridar 800-900, cardamom (colour robin) 930-940, cardamom bold 950-960, cardamom extra (bold) 1,150-1,060 and cloves (kg) 280-340.