(The Hindu Businessline) KOCHI, SEPT. 25: Pepper market world over remained hotter than ever on strong demand amid limited availability with the predictions earlier this year at the Asta Conference that black pepper prices would cross Rs 7,000 a tonne and the white $10,000 a tonne have not only turned true, but it went a step further with the prices for black crossing $8,000 a tonne level while white $12,000 a tonne.