Weekly Publications

MARKET REPORT

As Indians celebrate Diwali 2020 amid the global pandemic of Corona Virus, market this week was reported with a positive outlook. In local market, Malabar black pepper was reported with an increase of 1% when compared to the previous week at an average of USD 4,437 per Mt. Indonesia black and white pepper were reported stable with a marginal decrease averaging at USD 2,139 per Mt for black pepper and USD 3,835 per Mt for white pepper. Malaysia black and white pepper were reported with an increase of 1% respectively when compared to the previous week and were traded at an average of USD 2,151 per Mt for black pepper and USD 3,616 per Mt for

white pepper. Furthermore, Viet Nam black and white pepper were reported with an increase of 1% respectively as opposed to the previous week to an average of USD 2,364 per Mt for black pepper and USD 3,254 per Mt for white pepper. Sri Lanka black pepper was reported stable with a marginal increase and was traded at an average of USD 2,990 per Mt. China white pepper was reported with an increase of 4% when compared to the previous week to an average of USD 4,850 per Mt.

International market also showed a positive outlooks as India black pepper was reported with the same increase of 1% when compared to the previous week at an average of USD 4,706 per Mt. Indonesia black and white pepper were reported stable with a marginal decrease averaging at USD 2,608 per Mt for black pepper and USD 4,507 per Mt for white pepper. Malaysia black and white pepper were reported stable and unchanged. Furthermore, Viet Nam black pepper 500 g/l, 550 g/l and Viet Nam white pepper were reported with an increase of 1% respectively as opposed to the previous week to an average of USD 2,805 per Mt, USD 2,886 per Mt and USD 4,375 per Mt respectively. China white pepper was reported with an increase of 4% when compared to the previous week to an average of USD 5,050 per Mt internationally.

International market was reported with a decreasing trend as less demand from USA and Europe. Furthermore, China was predicted to increase their demand at the end of the year as they need to cover their positions for the coming Lunar Year. Muntok white pepper in US Market for CF November/December was reported at USD 4.500 per Mt.

IMPORT OF PEPPER BY ROMANIA

Romania is a country located at crossroads of Central, Eastern, and South Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia and Moldova. Romania actively imports pepper from various pepper producing countries for domestic consumption or for re-export.

In 2018, Romania was reported to have imported a total 2,043 Mt of pepper which 50.4% or 1,030 Mt of it comprised of whole pepper while 49.6% or 1,012 Mt of it was ground pepper. The average import of pepper by Romania in 2018 was reported to be 170 Mt per month with the highest quantity recorded in April with 224 Mt. The total expenditure of pepper import by Romania in 2018 was reported to be as high as USD 10.2 Million, recording an average price of the total pepper imported by Romania at USD 5,147 per Mt for whole pepper and USD 4,903 Per Mt for ground pepper.

Year 2019 saw an increasing trend in term of quantity of pepper imported by Romania. Romania was reported to have imported a total of 2,063 Mt which 47% or 960 Mt of it comprised of whole pepper and 53% or 1,102 Mt of it was ground pepper. Thus, recording a slight increase of 1% when compared to the same period in 2018. The average pepper imported by Romania in 2019 was reported at 172 Mt per month which peaked in August with 270 Mt. Although increasing in term of quantity, Romania's expenditure of pepper import was reported with a decrease of 19% to a total of USD 8.2 Million. Thus, recording an average price of the total pepper imported by Romania at USD 4,003 per Mt for whole pepper and USD 4,023 per Mt for ground pepper or a decrease by 22% and 18% respectively as compared to 2018.

As of August 2020, Pepper import by Romania was reported with an increase of 11% as compared to the same period in 2019, totaling at 1,445 Mt which comprised of 46% or 658 Mt of whole pepper and 54% or 788 Mt of ground pepper. The total expenditure of pepper import by Romania as of August 2020 was reported with a decrease of 4% when compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling at USD 5.0 Million. Thus, recording an average price of the total pepper imported by Romania at USD 3,563 per Mt for whole pepper and USD 3,404 per Mt for ground pepper.

The top five countries of origins of Romania's pepper as of August 2020 were reported to be Brazil with 631 Mt (an increase of 431 Mt as compared to the same period in 2019), Viet Nam with 268 Mt (a decrease of 7%), Poland with 154 Mt (an increase of 10%), Germany with 117 Mt (a decrease of 65%) and India with 69 Mt (a decrease of 34%). The decreased of Romania's import from Germany and India could be contributed to Romania preference of importing from Brazil which offered more competitive price (an increase by 431 Mt as compared to the same period in 2019).