Copyright thehindubusinessline
Synthite Industries, a global leader in spice extracts and value-added natural ingredients, is planning to scale up its pepper sourcing operations in Indonesia. Viju Jacob, Executive Chairman, said the company is exploring opportunities to establish a pre-processing and blending facility in that country as part of its strategic expansion in South-East Asia in the near future. Indonesia has long been known for its high-quality pepper and strategic location for the spice trade. “We see great potential here and are keen to work closely with local farmers and cooperatives to enhance value addition at the source,” he told businessline on the sidelines of the International Pepper Community meet in Kochi. The new initiative aims to boost local sourcing, improve supply chain efficiency, and support the region’s pepper farmers through technology, training, and sustainable procurement practices, he said. Major player The Kerala-based Synthite is already a major player in the global spice industry with established warehousing, sourcing, and pre-processing facilities in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The proposed investment in Indonesia underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its sourcing network and deepening partnerships with pepper-growing regions across Asia. Earlier, speaking at a business session “Building inclusive regional value chains for pepper products”, he said the global pepper industry showcases dynamic growth and current consumption trends indicate a rising demand for pepper products across markets. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering inclusive value chains that benefit farmers and enhance sustainability in the industry. However, there are some challenges in value chains, including fragmented supply chain, limited access to technology, inconsistent quality and low farmer income. The pepper market is currently dominated by Vietnam, Brazil, India and Sri Lanka. India is way behind and urgent measures are needed to perk up production. He also emphasised the need to produce high quality pepper, considering the rising global demand for the commodity. Published on October 29, 2025
