Bearish propaganda coupled with reports of fall in Vietnam prices have pulled down the spot pepper prices sharply on Thursday.
Also, reports that UP and Bihar markets are getting cheap Vietnam pepper destined for Nepal are aggravating the situation further.
Meanwhile, some in the trade alleged that this pepper is part of 750 tonnes of pepper imported in to Karnataka during June-August being moved out before the harvesting begins there, market sources told Business Line.
On the terminal market, 30 tonnes of pepper were traded. 15 tonnes of imported stuff were traded at ₹425 a kg. Five tonnes of 550 GL pepper from Kollam district and 10 tonnes of high range pepper were traded at ₹450 a kg.
Spot prices fell by ₹500 a quintal to ₹44,000 (ungarbled) and ₹46,000 (garbled).
Export prices were at $7,450 a tonne cf for Europe and $7,700 a tonne cf for the US. Vietnam was offering V Asta at $3,700 a tonne and 550 GL machine cleaned at $3,500 a tonne.