Indian pepper growers hit by price drop as imports surge

Kochi: In July alone, 5,000 tonnes of pepper were imported from various countries, including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Brazil, to the country. Imports from Sri Lanka amounted to 4,350 tonnes, while about 600 tonnes were brought in from Vietnam and Brazil.

Under the Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka, up to 2,000 tonnes of pepper can be imported duty-free this year. Traders say that with this addition, the price will go down again. This will become a big burden for the farmers.

The pepper was imported through Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Thoothukudi, Chennai, Mundra, Tughlakabad, and Kochi ports. These imports were arranged when domestic pepper prices were high. However, the price dropped within a month.

Traders note that after including pepper in the list of essential commodities, the central government intervened to lower its price. The entry of imported pepper into the market at this time has further pushed prices lower. This situation will likely result in increased sales of imported chillies, further driving down the price, which poses a challenge for farmers.