Decline in Pepper Production in Kerala – Key Insights

03-Apr-2025 05:02 PM

Decline in Pepper Production in Kerala – Key Insights
Production & Plantation Trends
Pepper production in Kerala fell by 25% over the last decade:
2014-15: 40,690 tonnes
2023-24: 30,798 tonnes
Cultivation area decreased by 15%:
2014-15: 85,431 hectares
2023-24: 72,669 hectares
Further decline expected in 2024-25 (8-10% drop from last year).
Factors Behind the Decline
Pest & Disease Issues:
Foot rot disease and insect infestations affecting plantations.
Extreme Weather Events:
Severe floods in 2018 & 2019 damaged plantations.
Droughts have also impacted yields.
Market & Price Fluctuations:
Low prices (2018-2022) discouraged farmers from maintaining plantations.
Indian pepper is more expensive than that from Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Brazil, impacting exports.
Government Interventions
Distribution of high-quality planting material to farmers.
Expansion of cultivation areas and livelihood support.
Improvement of post-harvest management and marketing complexes.
Market & Future Outlook
Premium quality of Indian pepper sustains global demand, despite higher prices.
Govt. measures could help revive production, but challenges remain.