Export of black pepper from the country last year touched a new high at 42,669 tonnes compared to the 37,196 tonnes in 1996."This is despite poor export performance in the last three months of 1997," sources in IPSTA told The Financial Express. In 1995, the exports totalled 22,327 tonnes. Between October and December last year only 5,270 tonnes of pepper was exported. But in the same period in 1996, 11,730 tonnes of pepper was exported.
However, better performance in March, April and May saw exports reaching a record level in 1997. Pepper prices too ruled high in 1997. The ready price of Malabar garbled pepper -- the best of its kind in the world -- touched Rs 21,500 a tonne in mid-November. The price was the lowest in August at Rs 17,600 a tonne.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
