• PAGE ONE
• INDEX
• HOME

Global pepper exports increase

G.K. Nair

KOCHI, July 4

THE export of pepper to the US has increased during Jan-May 2001 compared to that of the same period last year, while the country's total pepper exports during this period dropped by 187 tonnes to 12,202 from 12,389 tonnes in the corresponding period in 2000.

The exports to the US in 2000 stood at only 10,536 tonnes as against 28,227 tonnes in 1999, Spices Board sources told Business Line.

The six major pepper producing countries, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, together exported 22,178 tonnes in May 2001 against 12,233 tonnes in May 2000 showing a substantial increase of 81 per cent, according to IPC sources. Du ring January-May 2001 these countries exported 88,668 tonnes as against 61,167 tonnes during the corresponding period of last year (January-May 2000) showing an increase of 45 per cent, they said.

During May 2001 Brazil exported 1,044 tonnes of pepper valued at $2.09 billion as against 502 tonnes valued at $2.57 billion in May 2000. During January-May 2001 a total of 7,481 tonnes valued at $17.17 billion has been shipped from Brazil as against 2,6 28 tonnes valued at $13.08 billion in the same period last year or increased substantially by 185 per cent.

Indian exports stood at around 2,900 tonnes of pepper during May 2001 as against 1,637 tonnes in May 2000 showing an increase of 77 per cent.

During January-May 2001, total export of pepper from India was 12,202 tonnes. Compared to the export during corresponding period last year of 12,389 tonnes, the export had declined slightly by 2 per cent, the sources said.

Whereas, Indonesia's export of pepper had also shown a significant increase of 132 per cent during May 2001 compared to May 2000. During May 2001, around 5,092 tonnes of pepper comprised of 2,260 tonnes of black valued at $4.67 billion and 2,832 tonnes o f white had been shipped from Indonesia. Exports during January-May 2001 was 16,596 tonnes against 9,376 tonnes in January-May 2000 or increased by 77 per cent.

Exports from Malaysia were estimated at around 3,642 tonnes (3,503 tonnes of black and 139 tonnes of white). This quantity represented an increase of 548 tonnes or 18 per cent when compared to the export of 3,094 tonnes in May 2000. During January-May 20 01, export of pepper from Malaysia had increased from 10,274 tonnes to 7,737 tonnes during January-May 2000 showing an increase of 2,537 tonnes or 33 per cent.

Vietnam reported to have exported around 9,000 tonnes of pepper during May 2001 showing a substantial increased by 127 per cent compared to the export of 3,962 tonnes in May 2000. During January-May 2001 around 41,000 tonnes of pepper had been shipped fr om Vietnam. Based on trade source's prediction, Vietnam's 2000 crop was about 45,000 tonnes. Considering carry over from last year and local consumption into account, then stocks available for export would be very limited. Overall, export of pepper from producing countries during January-May 2001 was 45 per cent higher to the total export during same time last year.