Ceylon Pepper
Popularly known as the “King of spices”, pepper accounts for the largest percentage in the international export spice trade. It is the most widely used spice all over the world. Sri Lankan black pepper has higher piperine content which fetches a premium price in the international spice trade.
Commercial black pepper comes from the mature dried berries of the woody perennial evergreen climbing vine, Piper nigrum. Pepper is cultivated over an area of 32,800 ha in Sri Lanka. Major districts of cultivation are Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya.
Pepper may be grown either as a mono crop or as a mixed crop, mainly in the coconut and tea plantations. Pepper is an ideal crop for home gardens where the plant can be grown on existing trees.
Pepper Cultivation Facts
Ten high yielding local pepper selections have been identified and promoted by the Department of Export Agriculture of Sri Lanka, considering the other characteristics such as high pungency, bold berries, continuous bearing habit and resistance to pest and diseases.
Other than local selections, there are two other commercial varieties: Panniyur (India) and Kuching (Malaysia), which have been introduced to Sri Lanka. Both varieties are economically beneficial to cultivate along with local selections.
The Pepper Value Chain
The Pepper Value Chain involves a larger number of primary producers, collectors, traders and processors at the village level.
In the pepper value chain analysis, it was found that many farmers do not follow best agricultural practices. Additionally, due to financial constraints, they tend to harvest light berries and are not concerned about improving the quality of the product. Pepper farmers do not have market price incentives to produce quality products.
Studies and examples from other countries bring evidence that farmers who adopt best agricultural practices increase their existing yields.
By improving quality, farmers are better positioned to command competitive pricing in the export market as exporters are willing to pay premium prices for quality improved pepper that meets international standards.
Pepper Value Chain Actors
The Pepper Value Chain is constituted of five major players.
1. Input suppliers
They supply planting material, fertilizers, machinery and equipment and packaging material.
2. Primary Producers
Primary producers are divided into two categories: smallholder farmers and plantation owners. Small holder farmers produce the highest yield of pepper production where pepper plants are cultivated or maintained within home gardens or as an inter-crop alongside other major crops like coconut and tea. Based on the method of cultivation used, smallholder farmers may be categorized as organic or inorganic producers.
3. Product Collectors or Traders at the Village Level
Collectors operate from the village where the pepper is produced or from a nearby town.
In addition, some organic pepper exporters have appointed agents to collect organic pepper from the villages.
4. Post-harvest processors
According to the market requirements, post-harvest processors are engaged in:
- organic market-oriented processing
- value added product-oriented processing
- post-harvest oriented processing