Weekly Publications

During the Christmas week, market showed mixed response with pepper prices at the local level in Malaysia and Viet Nam were reported relatively stable. Price increase occurred in Indonesia. In dollar terms, Lampung Black Pepper increased by 1%, while Muntok White Pepper increased by 2% compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, black pepper prices in India was reported to decrease by 1% compared to last week. The political upheaval in Sri Lanka resulted in a high decline of pepper prices, the black pepper price was reported to have dropped from US$ 3,774 per MT to US$ 3,413 per MT, recording a decline of 10%.

At the local level, the average price of black pepper in local currency was reported to be IDR 33,000 per kg in Indonesia, VND 52,500 per kg in Viet Nam, RS 366 per kg in India, RM 9.4 per kg in Malaysia, and LKR 620 per kg in Sri Lanka. While the price of white pepper was reported to be IDR 53,000 per kg in Indonesia, VND 87,500 in Viet Nam, and RM 15.8 in Malaysia.

FOB Prices in India, Malaysia, and Viet Nam reported no significant changes compared to the previous week. An increase in FOB Prices occurred in Indonesia. The price increase was due to price increases at the farm level. Whilst the Spot Prices of the white pepper at New York was reported to be the same as last week, the black pepper spot prices were reported to increase by 2 - 3 % as compared to the previous week.

IMPORT OF PEPPER BY TAIWAN (TAIPEI, CHINESE):
Taiwan is one of the pepper consumer countries in Asia. To meet pepper demand, Taiwan imported pepper from the major pepper-producing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet Nam, and India. In 2016, Taiwan imported 2,980 MT of pepper consisting of 2,879 MT whole pepper and 101 MT ground pepper. Taiwan imported more black whole pepper compared to white whole pepper. Black whole pepper imported into Taiwan in 2016 was reported to be 1,892 MT, while white whole pepper was reported to be 987 MT. The value of imports of whole pepper to Taiwan in 2016 reached US$ 24,834,000, consisting of US$ 23,466,000 whole pepper and US$ 1,368,000 ground pepper.

In 2017, Taiwan imported 3,315 MT consisting of 3,201 MT whole pepper and 114 MT ground pepper. The value of pepper imports to Taiwan in 2017 was reported at US$ 21,984,000 consisting of US$ 20,660,000 whole pepper and US$ 1,324,000 ground pepper. Just like the previous year, pepper imports by Taiwan were dominated by whole black pepper which was reported to reach 2,074 MT whole black pepper and 1,127 MT whole white pepper. Taiwan\'s imports in 2017 increased by 11% in quantity but decreased by 11% in value opposed to 2016.

Furthermore, as of September 2018, Taiwan has imported 2,291 MT consisting of 2,193 MT whole pepper, and 98 MT ground pepper. Whole black pepper imported by Taiwan in this period reached 1,431 MT, while whole white pepper was reported to reach 762 MT. The import value up to the 9th month of 2018 was reported to be US$ 11,028,000. When compared with the same period in 2017, pepper imports by Taiwan recorded a 6% increase in quantity but experienced a 28% decrease in value. Pepper imported to Taiwan is consumed domestically with a bare minimum of it being exported out.

In 2018 (as of September), the top exporters for the whole black pepper to Taiwan were Malaysia with a quantity of 1169 MT, followed by Viet Nam (795 MT), and Indonesia (103 MT). While the top exporters for whole white pepper are Indonesia with a quantity of 900 MT, followed by Malaysia (209 MT), and China (29 MT). The next top exporter for ground pepper to Taiwan was India with a quantity of 52 MT, followed by Viet Nam (17 MT), and Malaysia (16 MT).