Kerala farmers face crisis as pepper and rubber prices plummet

Kochi: Many farmers in Kerala are experiencing losses due to a sudden drop in prices for pepper and rubber. In Kochi, the price of ungarbled pepper fell by Rs 34 per kilogram within a month, with Friday's trade closing at Rs 627 per kilogram. The price for garbled pepper stood at Rs 647 per kilogram. The increase in imports from Sri Lanka has negatively impacted the pepper market, say experts. 

Most of the pepper imported into India comes from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Indonesia. From July to September, 9,914 tons of pepper were imported from Sri Lanka alone.

Farmers have expressed concern that they are no longer able to cover their production costs. As the colder months approach in November, there is a high likelihood of fungus affecting pepper plants. As a result, farmers are selling their produce at lower prices to clear stocks.

Rubber prices fall below Rs 200

A month ago, the price of RSS-4 grade rubber in Kochi was Rs 232 per kilogram, but it has now dropped to Rs 190. RSS-5 grade rubber has also seen a decrease, from Rs 222-228 per kilogram to Rs 181-187. The market prices are currently lower than the trading prices, and farmers reported a daily drop of Rs 2 to Rs 5.

The rise in rubber imports has contributed to the decline in prices. Additionally, with tapping operations resuming, the arrival of fresh stocks in the market has further pressured prices. In August, the price of RSS-4 rubber had gone up to Rs 255 per kilogram.

Coffee prices also decline

Coffee prices have also seen a slight decline. In a month, the price of Robusta coffee beans has dropped from Rs 227 to Rs 215 per kilogram. The price of coffee beans has fallen from Rs 370 to Rs 360 per kilogram. Experts predict that prices might increase due to rising demand in international markets. The price of cardamom, however, has remained stable without significant changes.