The size of black pepper crop has been estimated lower due to the erratic weather in major producing centres. However, there is no consensus over this year’s crop size as sources estimate the production in a range of 45,000 – 52,000 tonne.
Most traders, exporters and experts said the production would be in a range of 48,000 -50,000 tonne. The volume of production will be down 10 -20 per cent according to estimates.
There is consensus over delay in harvesting as a strong flow of pepper might begin by mid-January. Small amounts of fresh crop will hit the market by next month, but plucking will begin in high ranges of Kerala by early January.