Firmer trend continues in pepper

Tight availability of high bulk density indigenous produce has pushed up the spot prices further on Friday. Karnataka pepper was reportedly traded at ₹500 a kg today. There were buyers for exchange released pepper at ₹460 a kg. For Pulpally and Bathery pepper also buyers were ready at ₹450 a kg but no sellers. On the terminal market 15 tonnes almost mixed with imported material, were traded at ₹450-₹460 a kg. Spot pepper shot up further by ₹500 a quintal to close at ₹43,900 (ungarbled) and ₹45,900 (garbled) a quintal. Indian export prices were at $7,600 a tonne c&f for Europe and $7,850 a tonne c&f for the US.