Spot pepper prices fell on selling pressure from several growing areas in Kerala. Spot prices fell sharply on Friday as sellers were ready to offer ₹575-600 per/kg, depending on quality.

This was compounded by fear over release of thousands of tonnes of pepper from the warehouses after cleaning and testing, market sources said. Spot prices fell by ₹2,000 a quintal to ₹61,000 (ungarbled) and ₹64,000 (garbled) a quintal.

Export prices were down at $10,700 a tonne for prompt shipments, while shipments for February and March were at $9,700 and $9,050 a tonne carrying forward.