Black Pepper from India
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About this market
About
India is one of the oldest producers of black pepper, traditionally known as the “King of Spices.” While not the top global exporter today, it remains a major producer with a strong domestic market and a focus on high-quality, specialty-grade pepper.
History
Black pepper has been cultivated in India for over 2,000 years, especially along the Malabar Coast. Historically, it was a key trade commodity during the spice trade era. Though Vietnam has overtaken India in volume, India still commands a premium in global markets for its distinct aroma and pungency.
Production Regions
- Kerala: Largest producing state, especially Idukki and Wayanad districts.
- Karnataka: Coorg (Kodagu) and Chikkamagaluru are key zones.
- Tamil Nadu: Nilgiris and parts of Erode and Dharmapuri.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Small-scale but aromatic output.
- Northeast India: Mizoram and Meghalaya are emerging areas with organic potential.
Growing Conditions
- Altitude: 500 to 1,500 m above sea level.
- Climate: Humid tropical; rainfall over 2,000 mm annually.
- Soil: Loamy and laterite soils with good drainage.
- Shade Grown: Commonly intercropped with coffee or arecanut trees.
- Crop Cycle: Fruiting begins in 3 to 4 years, full productivity around 7 years.
Harvesting Process
- Harvest Time: December to March.
- Method: Manual picking of mature green berries.
- Drying: Sun-dried on mats or concrete floors for 7–10 days to reach 10 to 12% moisture.
Cultivation Methods
- Smallholder Farms: Over 95% are small-scale with traditional practices.
- Support Trees: Vines climb silver oak, jackfruit, or Gliricidia trees.
- Low Mechanization: Manual labor dominates.
- Organic Farming: Growing area, particularly in Kerala and the Northeast.
Supply Chain
- Flow: Farmers → Village traders → Commission agents → Processors/exporters.
- Farmer Cooperatives: Spice Board of India encourages cluster-based farming.
- Processors: Clean, grade, and sometimes grind pepper for domestic or export markets.
Local Logistics
- Transport: Via trucks to major ports and processing centers in Kochi, Mangalore, and Chennai.
- Ports: Cochin, Mangalore, Chennai are key for exports.
Regulations and Certifications
- Oversight: Spice Board of India.
- Certifications: Spices Board offers IPM, organic, and GI tags (e.g., Malabar pepper).
- Quality Schemes: Mandatory quality check for exports.
Quality Standards
- Moisture: Max 12% allowed for exports.
- Grading: Based on size, density, color, and volatile oil content.
- Fumigation: Required for some export destinations.
- Premium Grades: Malabar Garbled, Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold (TGEB).
Trade Terms
- Exports (2023): Approx. 16,000 MT.
- HS Code: 0904.11 (Whole) & 0904.12 (Ground).
- Top Markets: US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Middle East.
Environmental Impact
- Sustainable Practices: Promoted via organic and low-input models.
- Climate Sensitivity: Erratic rainfall and fungal diseases (quick wilt) affect yield.
- Agroforestry Benefits: Shade-grown systems help retain biodiversity.
Social Impact
- Livelihood: Major income source in hill regions of Kerala and Karnataka.
- Labor Intensive: Women often involved in harvesting and drying.
- GI Certification: Protects traditional cultivars and farmer identity.
Uses
- Domestic Use: Widely used in Indian cooking (curries, masalas, pickles).
- Industrial Use: Extracted for oleoresin, spice blends, and essential oils.
- Export Use: Whole, ground, and oil forms to food and pharma industries.
Harvesting seasonality
As of 2025-10-25, Black Pepper from India is currently outside its peak season. Please note that seasonality may vary depending on the variety or region. Refer to the tables below for detailed seasonality information on Black Pepper from India.
Off season
In season
High season
Black Pepper from India
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Varieties
Karimunda
Common cultivar in Kerala, used in specialty exports.
Panniyur-1
Hybrid variety with high yield and uniform maturity.
Malabar Black Pepper (Garbled & Ungarbled)
Traditional variety from Kerala; deep aroma.
Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold (TGEB)
Premium grade, larger berries with intense flavor.
Organic Black Pepper
Mainly from Sikkim, Wayanad, and Mizoram; gaining export interest.
Production of Black Pepper in India
Black Pepper is categorized under FAO code 0687 - Pepper (Piper spp.), raw, and the data is presented accordingly.
Production overview
In 2023, India ranked #5 globally for Black Pepper production, contributing 7.69% to global output. India's total production for Black Pepper was 65,739.64 metric tons in 2023.
Production trend chart of India Black Pepper
India's production of Black Pepper has remained stable over the past 5 years, with minor fluctuations between 2019 and 2023. The production was 66,000 metric tons in 2019 and 65,739.64 metric tons in 2023.
The production data for India Black Pepper is collected from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The data is classified under the FAO code 0687 - Pepper (Piper spp.), raw, which represents a specific category within FAO's agricultural production database.
Please note that the FAO code grouping may not exactly align with Black Pepper as defined in some markets, as the FAO may group products based on broader categories that include similar products.
Export of Black Pepper from India
Black Pepper is categorized under HS code 090411 - Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground, and the data is presented accordingly.
Export overview
As of 2023, India ranked #6 in global exports of Black Pepper. India accounts for approximately 4.89% of the total global export value of Black Pepper, with an export value of 41,072,257 USD.
The top countries importing Black Pepper from India include World, United States, Sweden, Germany, Japan.
Export trend
The export value of Black Pepper from India has fluctuated over the past 5 years. It started at 41,275,518 USD in 2019 and reached 41,072,257 USD in 2023
The export data for India Black Pepper is sourced from UN Comtrade and official Customs databases of various countries. The data is categorized under the Harmonized System (HS) code 090411 - Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground, which covers a specific classification for Black Pepper and related products in international trade.
It's important to note that the HS code classification may not always perfectly match the definition of Black Pepper in certain markets, as HS codes often encompass a broader range of similar products.
Export transactions from 2024
Transactions in this market
1,415
Exporters
569
Importers
826
Major exporters of India Black Pepper in 2024
SHREE SAI OVERSEAS
India
AARADHAYA EXIM
India
SLR EXPORTS
India
FRUMAR AGRI FOODS
India
KAYAL AGRO FOODS
India
Major importers of India Black Pepper in 2024
HEALTH SOLUTIONS
Mauritius
PACIFIC EXPORT ENTERPRISE
Kiribati
SWADESI IMPORTS
Canada
LEXI PENS AFRICA
South Africa
NOURA MUQHEM BIN HUJAILAN AL
Saudi Arabia
Historical export price trends
The export price of Black Pepper from India has experienced a downward trend over the past 2 years. In 2023, the price fluctuated between 0.41 USD per kg and 18.88 USD per kg, but in 2024, it decreased to a range of 0.34 USD per kg to 18.77 USD per kg.
The export transaction data for India Black Pepper is sourced from Bill of Lading (B/L) documents and customs reports. Tridge ensures data accuracy through human oversight and AI, handling missing values, outliers, and standardizing currencies and units. Note that price trends may vary based on country, product variety, or timeframe.
Verified suppliers
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