The price of black pepper is likely to touch an all-time high by the end of October this year, according to the ICAR -Network Project on Market Intelligence of the Kerala Agricultural University.
A study conducted by the body said that while considering the overall production and market information at the prevailing demand supply situation, the price is expected to reach Rs.720 to Rs.760 a kg in October as against Rs.700 a kg in Kochi terminal market on July 27.
Due to drought and other erratic weather conditions in Kerala and Karnataka, the black pepper output in the country during 2015-16 is expected to decline to about 50,000 tonnes as against 70,000 tonnes in 2014-15, according to the Spices Board. Karnataka is the major producer of black pepper in India accounting for about, 47 per cent of the production, followed by Kerala which accounts for 40 per cent.
