Pepper imports from Brazil go up 18%

The imports of black and white pepper from Brazil rose 18 per cent in volume and 51 per cent in value terms during January-September.

The country imported 23,745 tonnes of black and white pepper from Brazil during the period compared with 23,516 tonnes last year. In value term, Brazil's earnings from exports to India rose to $83.78 million compared with $41.10 million last year.

The increase in export earnings was mainly attributed to improvement in pepper price in the global market during 2006-2007.

USA is the largest buyer of Brazilian pepper, with imports amounting to 11,797 tonnes, followed by Germany (6,317 tonnes), the Netherlands (2,188 tonnes), Spain (1,675 tonnes), France (1,319 tonnes) and Argentina (961 tonnes).

Brazil also exports ground pepper, which are mostly shipped to the US and Germany. During January-September, Brazil exported 1,669 tonnes of ground pepper.

Meanwhile, India's earnings from exports of black and white pepper during the period soared by 122 per cent. In terms of volume, the country's exports rose 45 per cent. India exported 25,750 tonnes of of black pepper valued at Rs 348 crore during January-September.