Weekly Publications

Pepper prices at the farm level showed mixed response. In India, the price of black pepper at the farm level was reported to be USD 5,170 per MT, recording an increase of 2% compared to the previous week. In Malaysia the price of black and white pepper also increased by 2% and 1% respectively. Declined prices at the local level occurred in Viet Nam and Sri Lanka. In Viet Nam, the price of black pepper and white pepper at the farm level declined by 5% from the previous week. At the local level, pepper prices in Viet Nam declined from VND 58,100 per Kg last week, to VND 55,500 per Kg this week. Furthermore, the price of white pepper was reported to decline from VND 92,500 per Kg last week, to VND 87,500 per Kg this week. As for the declining price in Sri Lanka it could be contributed highly on the weakening of Sri Lankan currency against US Dollar. Furthermore, Prices of black pepper and white pepper in Indonesia were reported to be stable at an average of IDR 37,500 for black and IDR 57,000 for white pepper.

CROP PRODUCTION IN EAST LUWU - INDONESIA:
East Luwu is one of the pepper-producing districts in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. With farming as their main livelihood there were 6,673 pepper farmers, one of which (Mr. Baharudin) won the 2016 IPC Best Farmer Award, with an average land ownership of 0.51 Ha per farmer up to 2017. East Luwu black pepper has a bulk density of 604.80 g/l; moisture content 11%; light berries 2.5%; 0.5% foreign matter, and moldy berries 0.23%. Furthermore, East Luwu white pepper has a bulk density of 697.65 g/l; moisture content 12.66%; light berries 0.24%; no foreign matter, black/dark colored berries 2.22%; and no moldy berries.

Since 2011 area of pepper plantation in East Luwu has been increasing steadily. In 2018, it is estimated that the total area planted with pepper reaches 5,879 hectares with an immature plant area of 2,438 hectares, mature plants of 2,984 hectares, and damaged / died plants of 457 hectares. Furthermore, it is reported that pepper production in East Luwu has also followed a steady increasing trend since 2011. East Luwu contributed 63% of the total pepper production of South Sulawesi Province in 2017. In 2018 pepper production in East Luwu is estimated to be 4,446 MT which is a 75% increase from 1,128 MT in 2011 (Table 1). East Luwu pepper is mainly sold to Jakarta for distribution at the national level or being shipped abroad.

In East Luwu, the price of black pepper at the farm level in the first half of November 2018 was reported at IDR 35,000 per Kg; whereas, white pepper prices at IDR 55,000 per Kg. During the same period, FOB black pepper prices were reported at USD 2,711 per MT; and FOB white pepper prices at USD 4,066 per MT. East Luwu Pepper has been marketed to various regions, both domestically and overseas. In January 2019 it is estimated that pepper farmers in East Luwu will experience a fairly good harvest period.