INDIA'S union government is looking into a proposal by the Spices Board for freight and transport subsidies for pepper exports, following a 35% decline in domestic prices. VJ Kurian, chairman of the board, said that the subsidies will give pepper producers a competitive edge to attract more buyers in the global market. Kishor Shamji, president of the India Pepper and Spice Trade Association, said the country's pepper prices declined to about Rs100 ($2) a kg in mid-December from around Rs140 a kg in May and June. Harvesting of India's pepper crop has already begun and new crop produce should arrive by mid-January, he said. The crop is pegged to reach 50,000 tonnes... Read More