Call to promote black pepper cultivation globally to boost consumption
Photo Caption (Left to Right): Basaria Tiara L. Gaol, Alternate Head of Delegation, Indonesia, Vu Duc Dam Quang, Head of Delegation, Vietnam, Cheah Chee Fong, Head of Delegation, Malaysia, Damayanthi Samarasinghe, Head of Delegation, Sri Lanka, Marina Novira Anggraini, Executive Director, International Pepper Community, Sangeetha Viswanathan, Chairperson, Spices Board, Government of India; P. Hemalatha, Chairperson, International Pepper Community & Secretary, Spices Board, B.N. Jha, Head of Delegation, India.
Experts call for collective efforts to promote black pepper cultivation globally to boost consumption and revitalising the sector. The global pepper industry converged in Kochi for the 53rd Annual Sessions and Meetings of the International Pepper Community (IPC) and the International Spice Exhibition.
Sangeetha Viswanathan, chairperson of the Spices Board, emphasised India’s pivotal role in shaping the global spice trade and driving inclusive growth in the pepper sector. She highlighted the importance of innovation, sustainability, and collaborative partnerships among producing nations to strengthen the resilience of the global pepper economy.
She also reaffirmed the Spices Board’s commitment to advancing quality, traceability, and value addition across the entire spice value chain.
“Kochi is not just hosting an event, it is transforming into the heartbeat of the global spice industry. The 53rd IPC Annual Session is more than a milestone; it is an opportunity to reimagine the future of pepper and spices through innovation, equity, and shared resilience. As we bring together growers, traders, researchers, and policymakers under one roof, we are building a community where collaboration shapes competitiveness, and sustainability defines success” said Marina Novira Anggraini, Executive Director, International Pepper Community.
Awards for best farmers
On the sidelines of the inaugural session, the IPC awards for best pepper farmers were conferred to Y.N. Krishna Kumar from India, Alfeddy Hernandy from Indonesia, Encik Umtam Anak Jelalu from Malaysia, Y.G. Layanal Bandara from Sri Lanka and Mai Duc Diep from Viet Nam. Awards for excellence in export of value-added pepper products were conferred to Synthite Industries from India, Pt. Natura Perisa aroma from Indonesia, Nguong Aik Sdn Bhd from Malaysia and Simexco Dak Lak Ltd from Viet Nam.
Awards for excellence in innovative pepper product manufactures were bestowed to Herbal Isolates from India, Puhus Pepper Plantation from Malaysia and Pearl Corporation Ltd from Malaysia.
The sessions underscored the growing need for innovation, equitable trade practices, and regional cooperation in the global spice sector as the world navigates a new phase of global reset and protectionism.
India, which currently holds the Chairmanship of the International Pepper Community, led the discussions that explored ways to strengthen value chains, promote sustainable cultivation, and enhance resilience among the member countries. from the global spice industry.
Published on October 28, 2025
