Black pepper holds a unique and irreplaceable position in the flavorful world of spices. However, recent developments in India’s black pepper industry have stirred concerns about its heavy reliance on imports. With domestic demand rising, spice manufacturers are scrambling to meet the requirements ahead of the festive season.
A memorandum submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee by the Kerala Chapter of Indian Pepper and Spice Traders, Manufacturers, and Processors Organization sheds light on a pressing issue. It reveals that India’s total production of black pepper stands at a modest 65,000 tonnes, while the voracious appetite of consumers consumes a staggering 85,000 tonnes. The result? The spice industry’s reliance on imports has reached an all-time high.
Immediate and effective measures
The organization’s plea to the committee is clear: immediate and effective measures are needed to boost India’s black pepper production. They emphasize the necessity of government support to encourage cultivation at the grassroots level. However, dark clouds loom on the horizon, as the year 2024 is expected to witness a dip in black pepper production due to insufficient rainfall, potentially plummeting to 50,000 tonnes. Such a scenario would undoubtedly exacerbate the country’s dependence on imports.
Data from the Indian Pepper and Spices Traders Association (IPSTA) paints a worrisome picture, with black pepper imports soaring. August alone witnessed nearly 3,800 tonnes of imports. Farmers allege that Vietnamese pepper stealthily infiltrates the domestic market at a substantially lower price point of $3,000-3,500, while Indian pepper is priced at $8,025. This influx of imports has led to price stability in the domestic market, inadvertently impacting demand.
In this delicate balance between domestic production and import dependency, the Indian black pepper industry stands at a crossroads. Urgent measures, including support for grassroots cultivation and efforts to boost production, are imperative to secure the industry’s future and ensure a steady supply of this beloved spice to consumers nationwide.
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