Amid profit-booking by speculators, pepper continued its slide in futures trade today as prices fell by Rs 296, or 1.40 per cent, to Rs 20,913 per 100 kg.
On the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange counter, pepper for September delivery dipped by Rs 296, or 1.40 per cent, to Rs 20,913 per 100 kg, with an open interest of 14,259 lots.
The spice for delivery in October-month also traded lower by Rs 288, or 1.35 per cent, to Rs 21,085 per 100 kg, with an open interest of 3,374 lots, while November delivery fell by Rs 289, or 1.34 per cent, to Rs 21,250 per 100 kg, with a turnover of 453 lots.
Analysts attributed the fall in pepper futures to profit -booking, as prices surged nearly 9 per cent in the past few sessions but rise in exports restricted the downside in prices.
Meanwhile, India's pepper exports in April-July 2010 rose 2 per cent to 6,750 tonnes from the same period a year ago.