As rains and floods batter North India — the primary consumer market for Indian black pepper — traders are keeping their fingers crossed with the festival season around the corner. The pepper prices have taken a beating thanks to subdued demand across the North Indian markets, hit by weather fury.

Sluggish demand from the adverse climatic conditions has resulted in the pepper prices dropping by around ₹15 a kg in the Kochi Terminal market in the past one week, according to the traders. The prices are now hovering around ₹686 for ungarbled and ₹706 for garbled varieties.

To make matters worse, the availability of cheaper imported Brazilian pepper with high bulk density bolder berries in the upcountry markets has further suppressed the demand for Indian pepper, they said.

Polls add to market woes

Kishore Shamji, director of the Indian Pepper and Spices Trade Association, said purchases in many North Indian consuming markets have weakened due to flooding in many areas, making it difficult to carry out trading activities. The upcoming elections in Bihar and Jharkhand have also contributed to the slack demand, with business activities getting short shrift from the people.

The beginning of Navarathri from October 2 is expected to revive the festival season in North India, though the prospects of rains playing a spoilsport remain. The market could see a revival anytime once the weather becomes conducive.

According to Shamji, the imposition of US tariffs is affecting international pepper prices badly despite lower stocks in many producing countries. Vietnam pepper prices are now at $6700 per tonne, Brazil ($6400), Indonesia ($7400), Sri Lanka ($7400), while Indian prices are ruling at $8100. Many US buyers are asking the trade to hold their shipments until clarity is reached on the tariffs, Shamji said.

Published on September 16, 2025