The Spice Board has called for a meeting of the exporters, growers and other players in the sector to discuss strategies to step up export trade, as there is a sharp drop in the export of spices including pepper. Exports of spices had registered a sharp fall of nearly 33% in terms of quantity in the first quarter. A sharp fall of nearly 56% fall in pepper export was the main reason for the fall in spice exports. In quantity terms the pepper exports fell by 61%, as released. The main reason reported for the sharp decline in pepper exports is said to be the huge difference in the prices of Indian pepper as compared to the international prices. The difference in price is around 40%. At present, Indonesia is the only source for pepper in the international market. The Indonesian price is around $3,900 a tonne while the Indian price is around $4,800 a tonne, as said. Exporter point out that the market arrival is also low as the growers in the country are holding on to stocks expecting better prices. |
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