Rain cuts pepper production

18 August 1999

Rain cuts pepper production

UNUSUAL amounts of rain have cut production of black pepper in two of the worlds main producing regions, India and Indonesia.

The reduction has sent prices soaring on world markets.

Indonesia is expected to see a 40% shortfall in this years production, while Indian production is forecast to drop from 100,000 tonnes to 70,000 tonnes.

Vietnam and Brazil have boosted their production but the increase is not enough to address the shortfall on world markets.

Indonesia and Vietnam have decided to commit more land to the growth of pepper. India is trying to improve its yields as its scope for increasing plantation area is limited.

• Financial Times 18/08/99 page 28