Karnataka farmers are reportedly releasing their produce, instead of holding back, on reports of imported pepper being pushed into the domestic market. Karnataka sellers are offering at ₹775 a kg delivered anywhere in India, while in the local market the material is being sold at ₹740-750, market sources told Business Line .

Exports of pepper through Kochi port during January-March are estimated at 4,200 tonnes against 4,500 tonnes in the same period a year ago. Of this, the trade claimed, an estimated 1,000 tonnes might be pepper imported for value-addition and re-export, they said.

On Friday, 20 tonnes of farm grade pepper arrived and traded at ₹720-740 a kg. Spot prices remained unchanged at ₹72,000 (ungarbled) and ₹74,000 (garbled) a quintal. Export prices were at $12,700 c&f for Europe and $12,950 a tonne c&f for the US.