Kochi to host global meet on pepper

KOCHI: The International Pepper Community meeting will be held in Kochi from November 8 to 12.

The community is an inter-governmental organisation of pepper-producing countries. The organisations members include Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The meeting will provide a platform for farmers, scientists and representatives of spices trade associations to exchange information on pepper cultivation and export activities.

During 2009-10, India exported 19,750 tonnes of pepper valued at Rs.313.93 crore, as against 25,250 tonnes valued at Rs.413.74 crore in the previous year, registering a decline of 22 per cent in volume and 24 per cent in value. Export of pepper to major destinations such as the U.S. and the European Union declined during the year.