Kochi: Farmers in Kerala are facing significant financial difficulties due to a steep decline in prices for essential cash crops, including pepper and rubber. In Kochi, the price of ungarbled pepper dropped by ₹34 per kilogram over the past month, closing at ₹627 per kilogram, while garbled pepper prices were at ₹647 per kilogram. Experts attribute this downturn to an increase in pepper imports from Sri Lanka, which have flooded the market. Between July and September, India imported 9,914 tons of pepper from Sri Lanka alone, adversely affecting local farmers’ earnings.
As the colder months approach in November, farmers are also worried about the potential for fungal infections on pepper plants, prompting many to sell their remaining stock at lower prices just to recoup some of their production costs.
Rubber prices have similarly plummeted, with the RSS-4 grade rubber in Kochi decreasing from ₹232 per kilogram a month ago to just ₹190 now. The RSS-5 grade rubber has also seen a decline, dropping from ₹222-228 to ₹181-187 per kilogram. Daily market reports indicate a steady decline of ₹2 to ₹5, exacerbated by rising rubber imports and the resumption of tapping operations, which have increased the supply of fresh rubber.
Coffee prices have also been affected, with Robusta coffee beans falling from ₹227 to ₹215 per kilogram over the last month, and other coffee bean prices decreasing from ₹370 to ₹360 per kilogram. However, experts believe that international demand may lead to a potential increase in coffee prices in the future. In contrast, cardamom prices have remained stable, showing no significant fluctuations. The overall agricultural landscape in Kerala is becoming increasingly challenging for farmers as they navigate these market pressures and import challenges.
