Mattancherry: Pepper farmers across the country are raising concerns over speculative figures related to India’s pepper production presented at the International Pepper Community (IPC) conference in Colombo. These projections, farmers say, could further hurt the farming community by influencing market prices unfairly.

The official estimates indicate a decrease in pepper production next year, with total production expected to fall to 78,000 tonnes compared to 1,25,000 tonnes last year. However, it is also reported that reserve stocks are currently at 51,000 tonnes, while domestic consumption is pegged at 1,31,000 tonnes.

Alarmingly, import requirements for the coming year are projected to rise to 43,000 tonnes, up from 33,000 tonnes last year. Farmers argue that the figures that say that production will decrease next year and that imports will be required are misleading their expectations.

It is estimated that there will be a shortage of 47,000 tonnes in production compared to last year. The farming community highlights the lack of proper studies to assess annual pepper production across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Farmers also contend that the reserve stock and consumption figures are inaccurate. This lack of accurate data, they claim, is affecting the market and hindering price improvements.

Farmers rely on their observations of weather patterns and experience to make their own calculations about production. The farming community also points out that the speculative figures presented during the conference are disconnected from real conditions. They warn that such inaccurate information could disrupt the market further, to the detriment of farmers.

During the ongoing international conference, pepper prices have fallen by Rs 10 per kg this week.