Madikeri: Pepper growers’ concerns over tumbling prices and illegal imports will be addressed soon, assured Union Minister for Commerce Suresh Prabhu.

The minister was responding to the plea submitted by Pepper Growers’ Coordination Central Committee delegation led by Konkondi Padmanabha.

Illegal imports from Vietnam have resulted in the drop in prices in the local market, which are now hovering around Rs 130/kg below the government marked price of Rs 500, the delegation stated in its plea.

“Vietnam produce contains harmful elements and the government should conduct chemical tests to ascertain its quality. The imports to India are routed through Sri Lanka and the quantum of exports from the island nation is more than its producing capacity. The illegal imports will cause huge revenue losses in terms of import duty evasion. This apart, pepper being imported from countries like Germany, Spain and Italy which do not produce pepper violating ethical trade norms”, the delegation appraised Prabhu, expressing the hardships faced by the local growers due to fall in prices.

“The minister has assured of ensuring that the prices cross Rs 450/kg in the next few days”, said Konkondi Padmanabha.

Representatives from CAMPCO, Coffee Planters’ Association, Malnad Areca Growers’ Union, Karnataka Growers’ Union, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee and others were part of the delegation.