a UNESCAP Intergovermental Organization
a UNESCAP Intergovermental Organization
Pepper News
Reconnecting Threads of Spice: A New Chapter for Pepper in Batam
What if a city known for its free trade dynamism could once again emerge as a global node for one of the world’s oldest and most valuable spices?
From 27 to 30 July 2025, the International Pepper Community (IPC), led by Executive Director Ms. Marina N. Anggraini and her team, undertook a meaningful mission to Batam, a city once famously known as “Negeri Segantang Lada†or The Land of a Basket of Pepper. With deep historical roots in the global spice trade, Batam now holds renewed promise as a strategic gateway to the future of pepper.
During this insightful visit, IPC engaged in a series of forward-looking discussions with key leaders from the Free Trade Zone and Free Port Authority of Batam (BP Batam), including the Deputy for Public Service, the Directorate for Investment and Enterprise and the Directorate of Airport, Seaport and Traffic Goods Management. We were also graciously received by the Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag), representing the Batam City Government.
Conversations centered on a shared vision: to bridge Batam’s spice legacy with modern strategies, especially in innovation, downstream processing, product traceability, and global branding of value-added pepper products.
The mission concluded with an inspiring visit to the Batam Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Batam/ITEBA), where IPC explored opportunities for collaboration with the academic sector, ranging from research and technology to youth involvement, creative product design, and industry-academia synergy for a more resilient pepper ecosystem
This journey affirmed a timeless truth: while the spice routes of the past may be mapped, the future of pepper is still being charted, through cooperation, creativity, and shared purpose.
Sincere thanks to BP Batam’s leadership, Disperindag Batam, and ITEBA for the warm welcome and enriching exchange. We’re excited to nurture this shared momentum forward.
#PowerOfPepper #SpiceRoutesRevived #BatamSpiceRenaissance #PepperDialogue #InnovationForPepper #IPCOnTheMove #FromLegacyToLeadership #StrongerTogether #FutureOfPepper #IPC #internationalpeppercommunity
Previous Publications
- Pepper/Spice Exhibition at Kandy, Sri Lanka, 30th Oct. - 2nd Nov. 2017
- MPB Central Lab, Kuching, to host IPC Quality Training programme in September 2017
- Executive Director of the International Pepper Community to visit Cambodia in June 2017
- Sri Lanka to host the 45th Annual Session of the IPC during 30th Oct - 2nd Nov. 2017
- Sri Lanka's pepper now becomes one of most important spice crops for export after Cinnamon - Bandula Wickramarachchi
- Members to continue organizing the Pepper Day in 2017
- IPC revises Standard Specifications for Pepper and Pepper Products
- Iman Pambagyo, Director General seeks IPC member countries to strengthen collaborative works in responding to the quality related issues
- IPC GMP Book to be printed in different language of IPC member countries
- IPC Inter-lab Proficiency Testing Programme
- IPC Book on Good Manufacturing Practices for Pepper (P. nigrum L.) was launched
- The IPC Special Session held on 09th - 10th January 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Sri Lanka has confirmed to host the 45th Annual Session and other Meetings of the International Pepper Community in Kandy.
- Mrs. Mariam Ilias named as the Liaison Officer of Malaysia to IPC
- Lampung now has another modern pepper / spice processing unit
- 1st Forum Vietnam Pepper Outlook 2016 organized successfully in Phu Quoc
- VPA to organize 1st Forum Vietnam Pepper Outlook from 17th-19th November 2016
- IPC Executive Director visited Davao, Philippines and met Governor Claude Bautista
- ED attended the 47th APCC COCOTECH
- Dr. Agus Wahyudi named as Director of Spices and Seasonal Crops of the Agriculture Ministry of Indonesia
- Mr. Eng. BANDULA Wickramaarachchi Secretary of Ministry of Primary Industries of Sri Lanka, is the Chairman of IPC for 2016/2017
- Governor Bautista and other officials of Philippines visited Indonesia and Vietnam
- Dato Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom named as new Chairman and Dr. Harry Entebang as new Director General of Malaysian Pepper Board
- IPC announced the winners of the IPC Award Winners for the year 2015
- Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, urged IPC to strengthen the cooperation among the members on five strategic important issues.