If you’re the sort of person who can’t imagine a meal without a generous twist of black pepper, you might want to brace yourself—your trusty pepper grinder could soon become a luxury item!

That’s right, folks: a global shortage of black pepper is brewing, and it’s threatening to hit Aussie supermarket shelves and our wallets in the coming months.


Black pepper isn’t just a kitchen staple in Australia—it’s a must-have in nearly every household, from the classic meat pie to a simple boiled egg.

But now, industry experts are warning that we could soon be paying a lot more for this everyday essential.

The culprit is a perfect storm of poor weather, climate change, and shifting global demand.


Most of the world’s black pepper comes from tropical regions in Asia, with Vietnam, India, and Indonesia leading the charge.

Unfortunately, these areas have been hit by disappointing monsoon seasons, which are crucial for pepper production.

As Iah Hemphill, Managing Director of Herbie’s Spices, explains: ‘The flowers on pepper vines are naturally pollinated during the monsoon as water runs down the hermaphrodite flowers and fertilises them. Poor monsoons due to climate change mean less pollination and thus lower quantities of berries on each spike. Like all agricultural commodities, lower yields lead to higher prices.’


In other words, less rain means fewer peppercorns, and that means higher prices for all of us.

The International Pepper Community (yes, that’s a real thing!) reports that global black pepper production is now 11 per cent lower than it was in 2020.

That’s a significant drop, and it’s being felt worldwide. Vietnam, the world’s largest producer, has seen export prices soar by a whopping 43 per cent since early 2023, with prices now reaching up to AUD $9.54 per kilo.

Here in Australia, we do grow a bit of black pepper in Far North Queensland, but it’s nowhere near enough to meet our national demand.

So, we’re at the mercy of global supply and pricing.

Don’t expect relief anytime soon. Mr Hemphill says prices are likely to stay high until at least early 2026, and that’s only if the next monsoon season (June to September in India and other key regions) is a good one.

Add in the ever-present risk of global unrest, and it’s clear that pepper prices could remain spicy for quite a while.


While climate change and poor weather are the main culprits, there’s another factor at play: increased demand from the health supplement industry.

Black pepper contains piperine, which enhances the absorption of curcumin in turmeric, making it a sought-after ingredient for manufacturers of anti-inflammatory supplements.

So, it’s not just home cooks driving up demand!

Let’s be honest—nothing quite matches the flavour of freshly cracked black pepper.

However, if you’re looking to stretch your budget, chilli powder can be a cheaper and punchy alternative for some dishes.

But for those who love the unique bite of pepper, there’s really no true substitute.


If you’re worried about running out or facing sky-high prices, it might be wise to stock up now (but let’s not go overboard—no need for a repeat of the great toilet paper rush!).

At the time of writing, both Coles and Woolworths are offering refill bags of whole black peppercorns for $2.25 per 100g, and ALDI has 50g grinders for $3.69.

But with global prices on the rise, these bargains may not last long.

Did you know that black pepper was once so valuable that it was called 'black gold' and used as currency? Wars were fought over it, and it helped shape global trade routes.

So, while a price hike is frustrating, it’s not the first time pepper has been a hot commodity!
Are you a pepper fanatic? Have you noticed prices creeping up at your local supermarket? Do you have any clever tips for making your spices last? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories—share them in the comments below.

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