Black pepper exports have been hit due to the current slowdown and high price tags of the Indian variety. Traders are unlikely to export even 25,000 tonnes this year, thanks to the current trend. The Spices Board had set a target of 35,000 tonnes for the present financial year. But, a maximum of about 70 per cent of the target is likely to be met.
The country suffered a setback on the commodity’s export, recording a 26.5 per cent drop in April-February. Total shipment during the period was 23,350 tonnes, at Rs 384.09 crore compared with 31,760 tonnes valued at Rs 466.26 crore during the comparable period last year, registering a decline of 17.6 per cent in value terms. Only 66.7 per cent of the export target has been achieved so far.
India still maintains a price that is $250 higher than Vietnam, $350 higher than Brazil and $400 higher than Indonesia, and this will tough act to follow. The ongoing slowdown adds pressure on the export of spices in general and black pepper in particular. The Indian price tags for the ASTA grade pepper was higher by $100-150 per tonne on an average throughout the last financial year compared with the prices of other major origins.
Among 20 major spices, black pepper and ginger were major sufferers in terms of exports. Ginger exports was down 31.6 per cent at 4,400 tonnes in the period from 6,435 tonnes last year. But in value terms, it registered a gain of 20.8 per cent at Rs 30.32 crore against Rs 25.11 crore last year. Black pepper was the only spice to decline, both in volume and value terms in the period. Overseas demand, especially from EU and the US, has remained slack.
In 2007-08, pepper exports from India were 35,000 tonnes valued around Rs 519.50 crore, up 22 per cent in quantity and 70 per cent in value compared with 28,750 tonnes valued at Rs 306.20 crore during the previous financial year.
In 2007-08, the country recorded the highest export of pepper in both volume and value terms due to lower prices.
According to leading exporters, total shipment in March could be a maximum of 1,500 tonnes.
