Spices end mixed

Black pepper and ginger prices rose at the spices market here today on increased offtake from stockists and traders influenced by higher export demand.

Meanwhile, copra Kozhikode and copra Alapuzha declined owing to subdued retail buying as well as lower offtake from millers. 

Black pepper firmed up by Rs 5 per kilo to Rs 278/298 from Monday's closing level of Rs 273/293.

Ginger bleached and unbleached also edged up by Rs 2 per kilo each to Rs 170 and Rs 200 respectively, as compared to Rs 168 and Rs 198 previously. 

However, copra office Kozhikode dropped by Rs 100 per quintal to Rs 6,750 as against Rs 6,850 and copra office Alapuzha fell by Rs 50 per quintal to Rs 6,900 from Rs 6,950 yesterday.

Meanwhile, other spices closed stable in the absence of worthwhile buying activity.

Following are today's closing rates in Rs, with the previous rates in brackets:

Black pepper (per kg) 278/298 (273/293), ginger bleached (per kg) 170 (168), ginger unbleached (per kg) 200 (198), copra office Alapuzha (per quintal) 6,900 (6,950)

copra office Kozhikode (per quintal) 6,750 (6,850), copra Rajapur Mumbai (per quintal) 8,300 (8,300) and copra edible Mumbai (per quintal) 7,900 (7,900)