Pepper prices on Friday edged up further on continued reluctance of sellers to release their indigenous produce at the current prices.

As the prices keep moving up every day they are said to be interested in holding back, market sources told BusinessLine.

According to trade estimates, 20,000 tonnes of Sri Lankan and Vietnam pepper via Sri Lanka have landed in the country during April-December 2017. This material is still reportedly available in almost all consuming centres across the country, they said.

On the terminal market, 15 tonnes of pepper were traded today. Of these, 6 tonnes of High Range pepper went for ₹430 a kg, while Pulpally and Bathery pepper were sold at ₹420. Pepper from the plains mixed with Sri Lankan material fetched ₹410/kg.

Spot prices moved up by ₹100 a quintal to ₹41,700 (ungarbled) and ₹43,700 (garbled).

Export prices were at $7,075 a tonne c&f for Europe and $7,375for the US.