Strong demand pushed up spot pepper prices on Thursday. On the IPSTA, nearby contracts also moved up on anticipation of tight availability. Industrial buying amid squeezed supply has aided the price rise, market sources told BusinessLine . Ten tonnes of High Range pepper were traded at ₹690-695 a kg. Spot prices went up further by ₹100 a quintal to ₹68,000 (ungarbled) and ₹71,000 (garbled). December contract stayed steady at ₹73,000 a quintal. January and February moved up by ₹1,000 each to ₹66,000 and ₹61,000. Export prices were at $10,900 a tonne c&f for Europe and $11,150 for the US.