The pepper price has touched an all-time high of Rs 60,000 per quintal (`600 per kg) on Tuesday in Kerala local market. During harvest, the price was Rs 510/kg which continuously moved upwards. Market sources said that short supply is the major reason behind the surge in price. In local markets at Wayanad district, where the production is higher in the state, the price of the black gold has surpassed the Rs 600-mark per kg.
The closing price of pepper at National Multi Commodity Exchange was Rs 60,666 per quintal in Kochi on Monday. Though the local prices were Rs 595/kg. India’s pepper production is estimated at 35,000 tonnes this year against 50,000 tonnes last year, hinting a further increase in prices, experts said.