Malabar coast to the United Kingdom · Direct export
Bulk Black Pepperfor UK blenders & manufacturers.
Malabar and Tellicherry peppercorns from Kerala, graded by size and density, with steam sterilisation available for UK food manufacturers who need a low microbial count.
- MG1–TGSEB
- Grades
- 500 kg
- Minimum order
- 550 g/L+
- Bulk density
Product overview
Kerala pepper, prepared for UK food production
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) from Kerala's Malabar coast has been traded with Europe for centuries. Grown in Wayanad and the surrounding hills, it is known for its high piperine content, bold berries and sharp, aromatic heat.
UK buyers mostly need one of two things: a clean, dense, consistent MG1 for grinding and seasoning, or bold Tellicherry grades for retail grinders and premium packs. We grade to both, and offer steam sterilisation for manufacturers who must meet a microbiological specification.
- Malabar (MG1) and Tellicherry (TGEB, TGSEB) grades
- Graded by berry size and bulk density
- Cleaned and destoned; steam sterilisation on request
- Lab-tested before shipment
Specification
Grades and specification for UK orders
Typical export specification. Final values depend on the grade and crop; we confirm them against your specification before shipping.
| Botanical name | Piper nigrum |
|---|---|
| Origin | Wayanad, Kerala, India |
| Grades | MG1, MG2, TGEB (4.25 mm+), TGSEB (4.75 mm+), FAQ |
| Bulk density | 500 g/L to 600 g/L+, by grade |
| Moisture | 11–12% max |
| Treatment | Natural, ASTA cleaned or steam sterilised |
| Packaging | 25 kg PP bags, 50 kg jute bags, private label |
| Minimum order | 500 kg |
Working to a customer specification? Send it over and we will confirm which grade and treatment meet it.
How buying works
Get your black pepper price for the UK, in your own dashboard.
No email chains. Request a quote online, get your price in your dashboard and manage the whole order in one place.
01Create your free account
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02Submit a quote request
Choose the product and grade, quantity, air or sea freight, FCL or LCL, and your destination port.
03We post your price
Our export desk reviews your request and adds the price to your dashboard. You get a notification as soon as it's ready.
04Accept or ask for a re-quote
Happy with the offer? Accept it. Need a different grade, quantity or terms? Request a re-quote from the same screen.
05Track your order to delivery
Your accepted quote becomes an order you can follow from confirmed to delivered, with an email at every status change.
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Why UK buyers choose Kerala pepper
What the UK market asks of black pepper
Pepper is the UK's most-used spice, and buyers are strict about what goes into the factory.
Low microbial count
UK manufacturers often specify steam-sterilised pepper so it can go straight into ready-to-eat foods. We arrange sterilisation before packing.
Clean and dense
Light berries and pinheads reduce flavour and yield. We grade by bulk density so you get the weight of pepper you are paying for.
Bold grades for retail
Tellicherry TGEB and TGSEB give the large, even berries that look right in grinders and premium packs.
Traceable lots
Every lot comes with a lab report and can be traced back to its source, which helps with UK retailer and BRCGS-certified customer audits.
Applications
Who uses our black pepper in the UK
Seasoning blenders
Ground and cracked pepper for meat, snack and savoury seasonings.
Butchers & meat processors
Sausages, burgers, cured and cooked meats.
Spice packers
Whole peppercorns for supermarket grinders and retail jars.
Ready-meal & sauce makers
Steam-sterilised pepper for ready-to-eat products.
Snack manufacturers
Salt & pepper crisps, nuts and coated snacks.
Foodservice wholesalers
Catering packs for restaurants, pubs and contract caterers.
From vine to UK port
How your pepper is prepared
- 01
Harvest
Pepper spikes are picked when the berries start to turn from green to yellow-red.
- 02
Drying
Berries are separated and sun-dried until they turn black and wrinkled and reach the target moisture.
- 03
Cleaning
Stones, stems, dust and light berries are removed by sieving, destoning and aspiration.
- 04
Grading
Berries are graded by size and bulk density into MG1, TGEB or TGSEB.
- 05
Treatment & packing
Optional steam sterilisation, then lab testing and packing into export bags.
Shipping to the UK
Shipping, documents and UK import rules
Pepper ships by sea from Cochin port in Kerala. Most UK buyers take full containers; smaller lots can share a container (LCL).
- Port of loading
- Cochin (Kochi), Kerala
- UK ports
- Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton
- Sea transit
- Typically 25–35 days
- Shipment size
- LCL from 500 kg, or full container (FCL)
- Terms
- FOB, CIF or CFR on request
Export documents
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Pre-shipment lab report (incl. micro if steam sterilised)
- Phytosanitary certificate where required
Import rules to know
- Pepper imported into Great Britain must meet GB limits for pesticide residues, mycotoxins and contaminants. We test against your specification before shipping.
- Some spice lines from India can fall under UK import controls for high-risk food not of animal origin. We check the current list for your product and supply the documents your port health authority needs.
- Import duty depends on the commodity code. Your importer or customs broker can confirm the current rate on the UK Global Tariff.
FAQ
Black Pepper for the UK: common questions
What is the difference between Malabar MG1 and Tellicherry pepper?
Both come from Kerala. MG1 (Malabar Garbled Grade 1) is a clean, dense, all-round grade used widely for grinding. Tellicherry grades are the boldest berries: TGEB is 4.25 mm and above, TGSEB is 4.75 mm and above, and they are prized for retail and premium use.
Can you supply steam-sterilised black pepper to the UK?
Yes. Steam sterilisation reduces the microbial load without chemicals, which many UK food manufacturers require for ready-to-eat products. Tell us your micro specification and we will confirm it before shipping.
What is the minimum order for black pepper?
Our minimum order is 500 kg. Most UK importers and manufacturers order full containers for the best freight cost per kilo.
How long does shipping from India to the UK take?
Sea freight from Cochin to the main UK ports typically takes 25–35 days, plus time for documents and customs clearance.
Can I get a sample before ordering?
Yes. We send sealed samples of the grade you want so you can check size, density, aroma and colour before ordering.
More for UK buyers
Other spices we ship to the UK
Get a quote for black pepper delivered to the UK
Tell us the grade, treatment, quantity and UK port in a quote request, and our export team will post your price to your dashboard.