The Hindu Business Line : India regains glory in global pepper trade, says Kurien

KOCHI: India has regained its past glory in the global pepper trade with a record export of 35,000 tonnes in 2007-08 despite the rupee appreciation and other negative global economic factors, a top Spices Board official said on Thursday.

During the year, India's offers were very competitive in the international market, which witnessed a steep hike in the price and 35,000 tonnes of pepper valued at Rs 519.50 crore was exported, board Chairman V J Kurien told reporters here. This was high er by 22 per cent in quantity and 70 per cent in value as compared to the last year's achievement of 28,750 tonnes valued Rs 306.20 crore, he said.

"This is the highest export of pepper made by India, both in volume and value in recent years,'' he said. The short supply in the global market and cautious selling by major producing countries including Vietnam had pushed up the pepper prices in the in ternational markets.

The average spot prices of black pepper in the US market have gone up from $2.62 per kg in 2006-07 to $4.05 per kg in 2007-08. The average for unit value has increased to Rs 148.43 per kg from Rs 106.50 per kg of last year.

Mr Kurien said the major buyers of India pepper were USA, Italy, Germany and Canada. To a query, he said India had been exporting spices to almost 130 countries across the globe. Pointing out that there was good market for ginger in Japan, he called upo n exporters to tap the market potential. The Chinese government had stopped export of ginger to Japan, after the latter rejected Chinese ginger for its low quality, he said, adding **the Japanese market is open.'' - PTI

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