Red chillies market in Guntur remained firm. Traders attributed slightly reduced arrivals amidst improved demand as the major reason behind the firmness in chilli prices recently. Fresh crop arrivals are likely to pick up further in the coming month. Talks of prospective export demand have to some extent helped to check the downtrend. Chilli export has increased by 44 percent to Rs. 440 crore during April-Dec 2006. However, in quantity terms it has declined by 3 percent. Acreage under chilli is estimated to have doubled. With a bumper harvest outlook, prices are likely to remain moderately bearish to steady in near future.

Black pepper markets firmed up again. It was quoted up by Rs. 200 per quintal in Kochi amidst no arrivals as well as offtake. Spot markets have witnessed a sharp rally in the recent past owing to improved demand scenario. Traders are optimistic of prospective export demand given the lower price of Indian pepper at the global markets. India has exported pepper worth Rs. 203 crore during April-Dec 2006. With global pepper production estimated to decline by 15-20 per cent and 3.46 per cent growth in global consumption, prices are likely to head skywards in the global market in near future. Domestic scenario could well match the global trend given the estimated decline in the production this year.

Jeera markets witnessed some soft trend. It was quoted lower amidst slightly higher arrivals. Fresh crop arrivals are increasing in the market, though the quantity of the same is still less. Production of jeera is expected at the lower side owing to reduced acreage under the crop this year. 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. Meanwhile, 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 supported by its strong fundamentals.

Turmeric markets witnessed a mixed trend. Finger variety was offered at a higher price in Nizamabad, while Gattah quoted lower. Prices remained steady in Erode markets despite higher arrivals. Arrivals are increasing 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 get momentum in the coming days that would further pressurise the prices.