INDIA'S pepper output in 2010 is expected to be only marginally higher than that of last year, but prices are unlikely to fall sharply in the coming months due to low carryover stocks, according to a Reuters poll of eight traders, exporters and analysts. Production in 2010 is seen at 53,000 tonnes, from 50,000 tonnes a year ago, the poll showed. "Heavy rains a month back had damaged the crop in some parts, but that was negligible, so production this year is expected to be more or less similar to last year. It should be around 53,000 to 55,000 tonnes," said Jojan Malayil, vice-chairman, Indian Spices Exporters Forum. The crop sown in May/June is harvested from December to February in India, the third largest global pepper producer after Vietnam and Indonesia... Read More