Indian pepper production is expected this year to be higher than the average, but not likely to “double or triple” as originally estimated, according to Business Line.
The crop in Karnataka, one of the two major pepper growing states, is estimated to increase by 30-35% from the normal range of 35,000-40,000 tons, according to pepper farmers in the Sakleshpur and Chikmagaluru regions.
“New pepper lines have been planted in some areas that have begun to be harvested. Besides, the output in the old pepper gardens is now very good. But, it is not double or triple as previously forecast, ”Sunil Kumar, a pepper farmer in Sakleshpur, Hassan district, told BusinessLine. He said the excessive number of seeds on each chain made the pepper very small.
The production of Karnataka state could be in the range of 50,000 tons according to current estimates, Sunil said. While some other pepper farmers in the state, it is expected to be in the range of 70,000 – 80,000 tons. New crop harvest has been started in the Sakleshpur and Chikamagaluru regions.
Currently, dealers have offered old pepper at Rs 650 per kg on a cash basis and shipped themselves. In some areas of the state, new pepper has been offered at Rs 450 a kg.
According to the Spice Committee, the area of pepper in Karnataka is 21,061 hectares with an output of 16,000 tons in 2011/12. The area here has more than doubled since then, pepper growers said. New pepper plants will give seed after planting 3-5 years and give good yield from the 5th year onwards.
In the 2011/12 crop, pepper production in Kerala state was 16,500 tons compared to a total area of 172,182 ha. But pepper growers say a large area of arable land is now on paper only. The number of pepper can be several times less.
“About 10 years ago it took farmers two weeks to harvest the entire pepper crop on 1 hectare of land in the Kumily area. But, now it only takes two days because many pepper trees were destroyed by fast dead wilt, ”said Punnoose, a pepper farmer.
According to Joshua Daniel, a major pepper grower in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, nearly 70% of the area has been harvested and the crop is better than last year. “Last year, we had a loss but this year was good. Erratic rains have reduced yields, ”he told BusinessLine.
“This year's case is better than last year. But not a bumper crop as said. It's just an average yield crop, ”said PA Thomas, a pepper farmer in the Upputhara Idukki area.
Goods from the southern districts have dried up, Kishor Shamji, a pepper purchasing and exporting agent, said the supply was not in line with the expected production, causing something to be wrong.
The total production of the crop year 2013/14 has been estimated at about 35,000 tons, including low inventories. This is in contrast to normal production in the range 55,000 – 65,000 tons a few years earlier.
S. Kannan, Chairman of the Indian Spices Council, said the total crop output could be between 70,000 and 75,000 tons.
Domestic consumption is forecast at about 45,000 – 48,000 tons. Pepper used daily is usually in very small quantities, so the price increase may not affect consumption habits.
Source English (giacaphe.vn)
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