Black pepper prices gain in lacklustre trade

Black pepper prices gained in an otherwise lacklustre spices market here today on persistent stockists and retail buying amidst better export demand.

Meanwhile, copra and ginger prices ruled stable in the absence of any worthwhile buying activity.

Black pepper advanced by Rs 3 per kg to Rs 418/448 from last Saturday's closing level of Rs 415/448.

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

Black pepper (per kg) 418/448 (415/448), ginger bleached (per kg) 180 (180), ginger unbleached (per kg) 190 (190), copra office Alapuzha (per quintal) 4,800 (4,800), copra office Kozhikode (per quintal) 4,700 (4,700), copra Rajapur Mumbai (per quintal) 6,400 (6,400) Copra edible Mumbai (per quintal) 5,800 (5,800).