Pakistan seen as good mkt for exports

Pakistan is seen as a good market for exports if import duty on Indian pepper is eliminated or reduced to reasonable level, dealers said. Pakistan currently charges 32 per cent customs duty on Indian pepper and 5 per cent on other countries, they said.

Recently,pepper exporters took up the need for persuading Pakistan to cut pepper import duty during a meeting with Commerce Minister Kamal Nath.

"We believe that commerce ministry has taken up this matter with their counterparts in Pakistan," said Kishor Shamji, former president, India Pepper and Spice Trade Association.

Pakistan is estimated to import nearly 10,000 tonne of pepper a year with Vietnam and Sri Lanka accounting for bulk of the supplies.

With Indian pepper almost edged out from its traditional market, the US, pepper exporters have been compelled to look for new markets.

"In the US, the largest pepper importer in the world, we are no longer a decisive player with Vietnam emerging as key supplier," a dealer said.

In this situation, Indian exporters need to find alternative markets and Pakistan appears to be an ideal choice, he added.