IPC hopeful of tariff reliefs as US demand for pepper remain...

IPC hopeful of tariff reliefs as US demand for pepper remains strong

With the US market demand for pepper continues to be strong, the International Pepper Community is hopeful of achieving a constructive path towards tariff exemption through ongoing dialogues. Marina Novira Anggraini, Executive Director, IPC, said that the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) together with several embassies and the US Trade Representative is actively engaging in advocacy for tariff relief for spices. Anggraini, who was in Kochi for the IPC meet, said that the temporary tariff rates applied to major producing countries is currently stand at India (50 per cent), Vietnam (20 per cent), Indonesia (19 per cent), Malaysia (19 per cent), Sri Lanka (20 per cent) and Cambodia (19 per cent). These rates are subject to bilateral negotiations and potential exemption. The Executive Order provides flexibility for “unavailable natural resources”, a category that includes spices, she said adding that black pepper is explicitly listed as eligible for exemption under this framework. Output estimate The global pepper production in 2025, she said, is estimated at around 520,000 tonnes, marking a modest contraction compared with 2024 due to weather variability in several origins. Despite the lower output, global supply chains remains adequate to meet demand, supported by resilient market fundamentals. On 2026 projections, it suggest a slight recovery to approximately 533,000 tonnes assuming more favourable weather conditions and continued replanting and farm improvement programmes. The 2025 market remains balanced, though slightly tight with steady demand from key consumer markets and moderate adjustments in export prices. Stock management and strong cooperation among exporters and buyers have contributed to overall market stability. For 2026, a gradual improvement is anticipated, taking into account weather patters and renewed harvest momentum, she said. Focus on sustainable growth To a question, Anggraini said pepper cultivation is increasingly affected by unpredictable rainfall, temperature fluctuations and humidity extremes which have led to yield variability and higher disease pressure. Member countries are adopting climate-smart practices and the use of resilient planting materials. IPC facilitates knowledge exchange and technical cooperation among research institutions to strengthen long term adaptation capacity. The IPC’s focus is on resilient and sustainable growth, rather than volume expansion alone which included collaborative R&D among member countries, digital integration through the development of IPC PepperLink, a unified platform for market intelligence and traceability. These efforts are aimed at improving productivity, safeguarding quality and strengthening farmers participation in global value chains, she said. Published on October 30, 2025

With the US market demand for pepper continues to be strong, the International Pepper Community is hopeful of achieving a constructive path towards tariff exemption through ongoing dialogues.

Marina Novira Anggraini, Executive Director, IPC, said that the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) together with several embassies and the US Trade Representative is actively engaging in advocacy for tariff relief for spices.

Anggraini, who was in Kochi for the IPC meet, said that the temporary tariff rates applied to major producing countries is currently stand at India (50 per cent), Vietnam (20 per cent), Indonesia (19 per cent), Malaysia (19 per cent), Sri Lanka (20 per cent) and Cambodia (19 per cent). These rates are subject to bilateral negotiations and potential exemption. The Executive Order provides flexibility for “unavailable natural resources”, a category that includes spices, she said adding that black pepper is explicitly listed as eligible for exemption under this framework.

Output estimate

The global pepper production in 2025, she said, is estimated at around 520,000 tonnes, marking a modest contraction compared with 2024 due to weather variability in several origins. Despite the lower output, global supply chains remains adequate to meet demand, supported by resilient market fundamentals.

On 2026 projections, it suggest a slight recovery to approximately 533,000 tonnes assuming more favourable weather conditions and continued replanting and farm improvement programmes.

The 2025 market remains balanced, though slightly tight with steady demand from key consumer markets and moderate adjustments in export prices. Stock management and strong cooperation among exporters and buyers have contributed to overall market stability. For 2026, a gradual improvement is anticipated, taking into account weather patters and renewed harvest momentum, she said.

Focus on sustainable growth

To a question, Anggraini said pepper cultivation is increasingly affected by unpredictable rainfall, temperature fluctuations and humidity extremes which have led to yield variability and higher disease pressure. Member countries are adopting climate-smart practices and the use of resilient planting materials. IPC facilitates knowledge exchange and technical cooperation among research institutions to strengthen long term adaptation capacity.

The IPC’s focus is on resilient and sustainable growth, rather than volume expansion alone which included collaborative R&D among member countries, digital integration through the development of IPC PepperLink, a unified platform for market intelligence and traceability. These efforts are aimed at improving productivity, safeguarding quality and strengthening farmers participation in global value chains, she said.

Published on October 30, 2025