Black & White Pepper

Black pepper is the dried whole berry of the pepper vine. White pepper is the same berry with the outer skin removed, giving a milder flavour and pale colour.

Grades

• Black pepper 550 g/l — heavy, bold berries.
• Black pepper 500 g/l — the standard trade grade.
• Black pepper FAQ — fair average quality for grinding.
• White pepper — decorticated berries, creamy white.

Quality

Pepper is graded by bulk density in grams per litre: heavier pepper has fuller berries and more pungency. Lots are cleaned of dust, stalks and light berries, and can be steam treated on request.

Black & White Pepper specifications

Typical values for our standard export lots of black pepper are listed below. Every lot is sampled and tested before loading, and the certificate for your shipment shows the actual results. If your market or process needs a tighter limit, tell us when you ask for a quote.

Packing, loading and minimum order

The minimum order for black pepper is 1 MT, or 1 × 20ft FCL. Standard packing: 25 kg or 50 kg bags. A 20ft container takes approx. 13–15 MT, and a 40ft container approx. 25–26 MT, depending on packing and the weight limits of the shipping line. Cargo is loaded at our base in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania or at the nearest port to origin, with photos of the loading and container seal sent to you the same day. Private labels, buyer-supplied packing and mixed loads with other products from our catalog can be arranged on larger or repeat orders.

Quality checks and inspection

Every lot is cleaned, sorted and checked for moisture, foreign matter and defects before bagging, and samples are retained for each shipment. Where your market requires it, lots are tested for aflatoxins, pesticide residues and microbiology by an accredited laboratory. Independent inspection by SGS or another company you nominate can witness sampling and loading.

Export documents supplied

Each shipment travels with the documents your customs broker needs to clear the goods:

• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Phytosanitary certificate
• Certificate of origin
• Certificate of analysis (quality and, where needed, aflatoxin)
• Fumigation certificate where required
• Bill of lading

Storage and shelf life

Dry goods are stored in clean, dry and well-ventilated warehouses on pallets, away from walls and other products. Properly dried and stored lots keep their quality for many months; the crop year and lot number are marked on every bag so stock can be rotated.

What affects the price

Our black pepper prices are quoted per order. Prices follow the crop and world markets, so we quote per shipment with a short validity. The price depends on the grade, quantity and number of shipments, the packing, the price basis (EXW, FOB or CIF), the destination port and the payment terms; contracts for several shipments in a season get the best rates.

How to order

1. Send an inquiry with the grade, quantity, destination and preferred price basis, using the form or WhatsApp button on this page.
2. Receive an offer with availability, price, shipment date and payment terms, and request samples if you need them.
3. Sign the contract, agree the inspection and arrange payment, usually a letter of credit or a deposit with the balance against documents.
4. Track the shipment with loading photos, the container number and copies of all documents before the original papers are sent.

Questions about black pepper that are not answered here? Our trade desk replies with details and current prices.

Related products and buyer resources

• Browse all Spices in our catalog.
• Buyers of this product also ask about Cardamom, Cinnamon and Vanilla.
• See when each crop is available in the East Africa harvest calendar.
• Shipping to Europe? See our export guide for Europe.
• Price terms are explained in EXW, FOB or CIF; payment and inspection in our trade terms.

Further reading

Background and trade standards: European market for black pepper (CBI) and black pepper (Wikipedia). Contract terms follow the ICC Incoterms® rules.