Kochi (Kerala): Pepper trade in Kochi has been resumed this week amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, after seven tonnes of its stock arrived from the Idukki district on April 16th.
Earlier, the trade was on hold due to the nationwide lockdown and transportation or trading weren't taking place. The trade resumed after the intervention of the Kerala government amid the lockdown.
"We expect more pepper to arrive from Wayanad and Idukki districts. It will happen when the lockdown is relaxed. The pepper dealers from Idukki and Wayanad districts had approached the authorities for permission to open their shops," said Kishore Shamji, owner of Kishore Spices at Mattancherry, Kochi.
"Earlier, we sought immediate intervention of the Kerala government to ease the scenario when the Tamil Nadu border denied the entry of vehicles. These restrictions had affected the availability of trucks for outward consignment movement from the terminal market," Shamji added.