Mumbai, Oct 31 - Spices futures traded weaker amid speculative selling and profit-booking ininitial hour of trade on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange [NCDEX] Wednesday.

More-active December turmeric futures traded Rs. two down at Rs. 2,105/quintal with a volume of 1,180 tonnes contracted. November contract was also down Rs. four at Rs. 2,015/quintal. Total volume traded for November contract was 1,150 tonnes.

Red chilli futures were trading weaker from the last trade. Front-month November contract was down Rs. 22 at Rs. 4,388/quintal, while February-08 futures dropped Rs 44 to trade at Rs. 3,891/quintal. Volume for both the contracts was 345 and 30 tonnes respectively.

Black pepper futures softened further Wednesday as speculative traders booked profits on gains build upon the sharp run early in the week. Benchmark December pepper futures went down Rs. 60 to trade at Rs. 15,370/quintal, while November futures dropped Rs. 49 to trade at Rs. 14,923/quintal. Volume traded for November and December contracts was 166 and 2,072 tonnes.

Jeera futures also traded lower amid extended subdued sentiments. Benchmark December futures lost Rs. 27 to trade at Rs. 11,265/quintal, while November futures slipped Rs. 12 to trade at Rs. 11,863/quintal. Volume traded for November and December contracts has been 138 and 1,257 tonnes respectively.