Further surge in pepper prices after minimum import price imposed

India's demand for pepper has been increasing at around 4% annually

The prices of pepper have risen by another Rs 80 per kg in the past 10 days, an unprecedented pace, say growers. This follows the announcement of a minimum import price (MIP) for import, announced early this month. Right after, domestic pepper rose 10-12 per cent to Rs 420 a kg on December 12.

Rohan Colaco, former executive committee member, Karnataka Planters' Association, and a major grower, says the price of black pepper is Rs 500 a kg at most physical terminals. Two weeks earlier, it was Rs 380 a kg. There is good demand and there seems a supply squeeze,