MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) The average domestic price of pepper at Kochi, which is the major market Centre and the International price at New York market
for the last three years are given below:
Year Domestic Price at International Price at Kochi (Rs/Kg) New York (US$/Kg)
2008-09 129.30 3.48
2009-10 136.42 3.13
2010-11 197.05 4.76
(b) Major Country wise export and import of pepper from/into India are given in the annexure.
(c) The year wise estimated production of pepper in the country for the last three years is given below.
Year Production (Tons)
2008-09 50000
2009-10 50000
2010-11 48000
(d) The production of pepper in the country is almost stagnant for the last few years and is in the range of 50,000 tons per
annum. The production during 2010-11 has declined marginally to 48,000 tons from 50,000 tons in the previous years.
(e) The predominance of senile and uneconomic plantations, low yielding pepper vines, the changed climatic conditions, incidence
of quick wilt, the attack of mealy bugs, virus attack etc., are the reasons for decline in production of pepper during last year.
(f) Two schemes with Government assistance of Rs.120 crores for Idukki and Rs.53.28 crores for Wayanad and North East Region have
been sanctioned to enhance the pepper productivity and production in the country through replantation and rejuvenations of pepper.
Spices Board is implementing export development/promotion programmes during the XI Plan period for boosting the export of spices
including pepper from the country.
