Exports from producing countries are assumed to be consumed in the importing countries, after adjusting for changes in the stocks levels in the importing countries. Reported statistics and estimates. Brazil Brazil continues to offer government-owned stocks through its auction system. Pepper Exports Lag Sluggish production growth, increasing global competition, and rising domestic use have led to a 60 percent decline in India's pepper exports in recent months. Although producers had been holding larger stocks in anticipation of higher prices, the promising 2001 production outlook, combined with declining world prices, has recently lowered domestic prices by more than 30 percent to the current level of rs.
Prices are likely to decline even further due to increased supplies and anemic demand.
India's market share has been declining due to growing competition from other countries, particularly Vietnam. Production Growth Sluggish India's black pepper production has stagnated due largely to the limited availability of suitable land. Spices are grown mostly on small holdings as an inter-crop. Major producing states are Kerala and Karnataka. Most of the small increases in production in recent years have occurred in Karnataka, where pepper is inter-cropped on coffee plantations.