What it is
Dried berries of a vine grown in the Western Ghats and the North-East. Kochi is the main market.
Malabar garbled (MG-1) and ungarbledTellicherry Garbled Extra Bold (TGEB)Light pepper
Where India produces it
- Karnataka
2024-25 (final): 66028 tonnes
- Kerala
2024-25 (final): 29503 tonnes
- Assam
2024-25 (final): 3011 tonnes
- Tamil Nadu
2024-25 (final): 1873 tonnes
Where imports come from
India imports pepper for re-export and blending; imports were US$ 299.80 million in 2024-25 (HS 090411).
- Sri Lanka — US$ 173.61 million imported under HS 090411 in 2024-25
- Vietnam — US$ 51.52 million imported under HS 090411 in 2024-25
- Brazil — US$ 33.66 million imported under HS 090411 in 2024-25
- Indonesia — US$ 30.72 million imported under HS 090411 in 2024-25
Rules before you buy or sell
- FSSAI licence or registration is needed to process, pack, store or sell it as food (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
- Import and export are governed by the ITC(HS) policy; check the current DGFT notification before you sign a contract, because policy for farm goods changes often.
- Exporters register with the Spices Board (CRES).
Businesses that use it
Black Pepper Cleaning & Grinding Unit →Masala / Spice Grinding Unit →Cryogenic Spice Grinding →