Shrinking pepper farms, output to make Kerala a minor player

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Kochi: likely to lose its sobriquet of being the 'terminal market for pepper'.

Trade has shifted to the primary markets of Manathavady, Sulthan Battery, Kumily and Kannur, with only very small volumes being transported to the terminal market of Kochi. Major exporters explained that arrivals at the Kochi market declined by 90% compared with its heydays. Traders estimate that depending on the yearly production, Kochi used to receive 70,000 -90,000 tonne of pepper every year.

Upcountry traders are buying from Manthavady (Wayanad), Kumily (Idukki) and Kannur directly with improved access and communication. They are willing to pay more to the farmers by eliminating the intermediaries and it is convenient to take the commodity out through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.