Red chillies market in Guntur remained closed. Market sentiments have turned in favour of the bears recently as fresh crop arrivals started getting momentum at present. Arrivals are likely to pick up further in the coming month. Talks of lower Chinese crop and prospective export demand have to some extent helped to check the downtrend. Chilli export from the country has increased by 44 percent to Rs. 440 crore during April-December 2006. However, in quantity terms it has declined by 3 percent during the same period. Acreage under chilli this year is estimated to have doubled. Prices are likely to remain bearish in near future.

Black pepper markets remained bullish. It was quoted higher by Rs. 200 per quintal amidst no arrivals as well as offtake. Traders reported improvement in domestic demand. Overseas enquiries are also reported after a while and traders are optimistic of prospective export demand. India has exported pepper worth Rs. 203 crore during April-December 2006. With global pepper production estimated to decline by 15-20 per cent (IPC estimates) and 3.46 per cent growth in consumption, prices are likely to head skywards in the global market in near future. Domestic scenario is likely to match global trend given the estimated decline in the production this year.

Jeera markets witnessed some sluggish trend at the weekend. Prices were quoted in a lower range amidst higher arrivals. Fresh crop arrivals are increasing in the market, though the quantity of the same is still negligible. Production of jeera is expected at the lower side. Fresh crop arrivals are likely to pick up during the mid of next month onwards that would eventually help to determine the actual size of the crop, estimations of which varies widely at present. Jeera exports have increased by 199 percent to 22000 tonnes and by 194 percent to Rs. 166 crore during Apr-Dec 2006. Jeera prices are expected to remain bullish in the near future.

Turmeric witnessed lacklustre trade as most of the markets remained closed. Prices were quoted unchanged in Nizamabad amidst steady arrivals as well as offtake. Arrivals have started from the fresh harvest, though the quality of the same is reported to be inferior one with higher moisture contents and quantity is also not enough to make any significant impact on prices. Fresh crop arrivals are expected to gain pace in the coming days that would further pressurise the prices. Turmeric markets are likely to remain bearish on a better crop harvest outlook.