Red chillies market in Guntur remained steady. Traders attributed steady arrivals as well as offtake as the major reason behind the steadiness in chilli prices. 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 from the country has increased by 44 percent to Rs. 440 crore during April-Dec 2006. However, in quantity terms it has declined by 3 percent. With a bumper harvest outlook, prices are likely to remain moderately bearish to steady in near future.

Black pepper markets witnessed a bearish trend. It was quoted lower by Rs. 300 per quintal in Kochi amidst no arrivals as well as offtake. Talks of removal of subsidy of pepper export has pressurised the market sentiments, however, no confirmation is received so far. India has exported pepper worth Rs. 203 crore during April-December 2006. With global pepper production estimated to decline by 15-20 per cent and 3.46 per cent growth in consumption, prices are likely to head skywards in the global market in near future. Domestic scenario could well match global trend given the estimated decline in the production this year.

Jeera markets extended previous weakness further. It was quoted lower amidst higher arrivals. Fresh crop arrivals are increasing in the market and consequently has pressurised the market sentiments. Production of jeera is expected at the lower side 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 remained on an average steady to slightly firm. It was quoted slightly higher in Nizamabad markets amidst lower arrivals. However, prices were offered steady in Erode markets amidst improved offtake. Fresh crop arrivals are coming in the markets with mixed quality, wherein the inferior ones are fetching lower prices. Arrivals are expected to get momentum in the coming days that would further pressurise the prices. Turmeric markets are likely to remain bearish on a better crop harvest outlook for the season.