Pepper exports hit a record

Monday, 13 January 2014 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pepper exports from Sri Lanka has reached an all time high as confirmed by preliminary data for last year with industry association hailing the development. According to the Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders Association (SAPPTA) pepper exports in the first ten months of 2013 were a record 18,500 tons as against 10,500 tons for the entire 2012.

“On this basis we should end up exporting around 20,000 tons in 2013 thereby doubling our export which is a remarkable achievement,” SAPPTA founder Chairman and Chairman of Pepper Sub Committee Gulam Chatoor said. Sri Lanka’s main export markets for pepper include India, Pakistan, Egypt and Spain. He said several factors were responsible for this achievement including good weather conditions, proper application of fertiliser, good prices secured by growers leading to an increase in plantings, and good extension services provided by the Department of Export Agriculture. However, Chatoor said a considerable increase from the present average price can be obtained if Sri Lanka’s low yield can be increased. “This is not an impossible task when we look at other pepper producing countries,” he added. Though pepper exports in 2013 are a record, Sri Lanka’s share in overall global market is only 8%. According to data put out by the international pepper community – Djakarta’s global exports in 2012 are estimated at 249,500 tons with Vietnam topping the list with 116,000 tons of export.