<p>Kalasa: Black pepper harvest is in progress in Kalasa taluk but farmers are seeing a significant drop in production. At the global level also, pepper production has declined raising hopes among farmers and traders for rise in price.</p><p>Extreme heat during the summer and excessive moisture during the monsoon season severely impacted pepper vines the previous year, resulting in a lower yield. Additionally, a severe infestation of mealybugs caused many vines to wither and die after the monsoon.</p><p>Even Vietnam, which produces 38% of the world’s black pepper, has experienced unfavourable weather conditions. Moreover, rising prices of coffee and durian crops in Vietnam have reduced interest in cultivating black pepper.</p><p>Brazil, which accounts for 18% of global pepper production, is also witnessing a decline in yield. Following good harvests in 2023 and 2024, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are seeing a significant drop in production this year. Additionally, farmers in these regions are now shifting their focus to cocoa cultivation.</p><p>India produces 12% of the world’s black pepper but fails to meet even the domestic demand and a further drop in production may lead to price rise.</p><p>Expressing concern over the poor harvest, farmer Chandrashekhar from Limbekonda said, “Last year, 20 workers took 21 days to complete the pepper harvest in our plantation. This year, the same number of workers finished harvesting in just a week, indicating a drastic decline in yield.”</p><p>China, which produces only a small quantity of black pepper, is unable to meet its internal demand and is importing it. The increased import demand from China is also expected to drive global pepper prices.</p><p>In 2015, global black pepper production stood at 5,87,000 tons. However, this year, it is projected to drop to 4,86,000 tons. Going by this decline in production, farmers strongly believe that pepper prices will rise.</p>
<p>Kalasa: Black pepper harvest is in progress in Kalasa taluk but farmers are seeing a significant drop in production. At the global level also, pepper production has declined raising hopes among farmers and traders for rise in price.</p><p>Extreme heat during the summer and excessive moisture during the monsoon season severely impacted pepper vines the previous year, resulting in a lower yield. Additionally, a severe infestation of mealybugs caused many vines to wither and die after the monsoon.</p><p>Even Vietnam, which produces 38% of the world’s black pepper, has experienced unfavourable weather conditions. Moreover, rising prices of coffee and durian crops in Vietnam have reduced interest in cultivating black pepper.</p><p>Brazil, which accounts for 18% of global pepper production, is also witnessing a decline in yield. Following good harvests in 2023 and 2024, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are seeing a significant drop in production this year. Additionally, farmers in these regions are now shifting their focus to cocoa cultivation.</p><p>India produces 12% of the world’s black pepper but fails to meet even the domestic demand and a further drop in production may lead to price rise.</p><p>Expressing concern over the poor harvest, farmer Chandrashekhar from Limbekonda said, “Last year, 20 workers took 21 days to complete the pepper harvest in our plantation. This year, the same number of workers finished harvesting in just a week, indicating a drastic decline in yield.”</p><p>China, which produces only a small quantity of black pepper, is unable to meet its internal demand and is importing it. The increased import demand from China is also expected to drive global pepper prices.</p><p>In 2015, global black pepper production stood at 5,87,000 tons. However, this year, it is projected to drop to 4,86,000 tons. Going by this decline in production, farmers strongly believe that pepper prices will rise.</p>