Amid profit booking by speculators, pepper futures prices fell by Rs 208, or 1.15 per cent, to Rs 17,950 per quintal today.
However, strong demand and lower supplies at the spot market, restricted losses. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange platform, pepper for delivery in September contract fell by Rs 208, or 1.15 per cent, to Rs 17,950 per quintal, with an open interest of 737 lots.
Similarly, the spice for delivery in July contract also fell by Rs 184, or 1.03 per cent, to Rs 17,632 per quintal, with an open interest of 8,864 lots, while delivery in August contract fell by Rs 160, or one per cent to Rs 17,800 per quintal, with a business turnover of 5,849 lots.
Analysts attributed the fall in pepper prices in futures trade to profit booking at existing higher levels, but strong demand in the spot market and rising prices in global markets, restricted losses.