Reported 8 months ago
The price of white pepper, a key ingredient in the traditional Cantonese dish Pig Stomach Chicken, has recently skyrocketed from 90 RMB per kilogram to a peak of 400 RMB, marking a 4.4-fold increase. Experts attribute this price surge to market speculation as real estate and stock trading become challenging in mainland China. The influx of hot money into the spice market has driven up pepper prices rapidly since mid-May. Additionally, black pepper prices have also increased from 110 RMB to 220 RMB per kilogram. Market speculators believe this surge is primarily man-made, with factors like inventory levels and weather conditions playing a part. Calls are being made for Chinese farmers to avoid blindly expanding cultivation to prevent a potential collapse in prices.
Source: YAHOO