Red chillies market in Guntur remained stable amidst steady arrivals as well as offtake. Fresh crop arrivals are likely to pick up further in the coming weeks. 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. Acreage under chilli this year is estimated to have doubled. With a bumper harvest outlook, prices are likely to remain moderately bearish to steady in near future.

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Black pepper markets recovered back from previous day’s slump. It was offered at a higher price 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. 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 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 remained on an average bearish. It was quoted lower amidst steady offtake. Fresh crop arrivals are increasing in the market and consequently pressurising the prices. Production of jeera is expected at the lower side this year. Fresh crop arrivals are likely to pick up during the mid of this month onwards that would eventually help to determine the actual size of the crop, estimations of which varies widely at present. 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. It was offered in the previous price range in Nizamabad amidst slightly lower arrivals. However, in Erode finger variety was quoted at a lower price amidst higher arrivals. Fresh crop arrivals are coming in the markets with mixed quality, wherein the inferior ones are fetching lower prices. Fresh crop 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.