Pepper
Black pepper is scientifically classified as Piper nigrum and belongs to the family Piperaceae.The fruit is a drupe, which becomes the familiar peppercorn after drying.
Sector Summary
- India’s pepper production declined sharply to an estimated 77,533 tonnes in 2024–25, after reaching a peak of 1.26 lakh tonnes in 2023–24.
- Karnataka, India’s largest pepper-producing state, recorded a 44.3% decline in production, while Kerala’s output fell by 28.7%.
- Despite lower production, pepper prices crossed ₹600 per kg for the first time since 2016, driven by strong domestic and international demand.
- Karnataka continues to dominate pepper cultivation, accounting for approximately 2.11 lakh hectares of India’s 3.09 lakh hectares under pepper cultivation.
