Pepper Availability Likely To Be Affected Next Year

Kochi: Black pepper availability in 2008 is likely to be less as the output in India, Brazil and Vietnam is likely to show a fall. In India, harvesting of 2007-08 crop is hoped to be delayed because of the incessant heavy rains in the growing areas in September. The production in 2006-07 is estimated at around 45,000 tonnes. The crop in Vietnam is also reportedly to be less by 10-15 per cent to 85,000-90,000 tonnes as against over one lakh tonnes last year. Meanwhile, reports emanating from Brazil of late indicate that production is estimated to be somewhere between 30,000-35,000 tonnes instead of the earlier projection of 40,000-45,000 tonnes. Due to dry weather conditions, the crop in north of Espirito Santo has reportedly fell significantly from what has been expected. About 9,950 tonnes are in the exchange warehouses. On the other hand, if the suggestion of the International Pepper Community that the producing countries should absorb 20 per cent of their total output is strictly implemented, it would lead to a squeeze in surplus stock, cutting down making the availability further decreased.