Pepper prices were mixed on Friday with March contracts moving up. The spot market ruled steady.

About 90 tonnes of farm-grade pepper were traded on the spot. Market sources told Business Line that since it was Friday, more bogies were available to dispatched pepper to upcountry markets. They said most of the supply was being made via Tamil Nadu, which has become a major hub of late.

On the NMCE, March contract rose by ₹395 to ₹52,500 a quintal. The turnover dropped to three tonnes. The net open position remained unchanged at 20 tonnes.

On the IPSTA, March and April contracts moved up by ₹400 and ₹406, respectively, to ₹52,000 and ₹52,786 a quintal.

Spot prices remained unchanged at ₹50,000 and ₹52,000 respectively. Export prices were at $8,575-8,600 c&f for Europe and $8,825-8,850 a tonne c&f for the US.