Jeera, pepper fall; turmeric hits upper circuit

MUMBAI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - India jeera futures fell on profit-taking in afternoon trade on Friday following an 8 percent rise in prices in the past four sessions, analysts said.

At 3.08 p.m., the benchmark December jeera NJEZ9 was down 1.35 percent at 15,963 rupees per 100 kg.

"Its profit-taking in jeera and pepper today..Trend for both commodities is bullish in the near term," said an analyst with a Delhi-based brokerage.

Fundamentals remained firm on a dip in acreage, which triggered lower crop worries and firm export demand, analysts said.

Export demand is firm as Syria and Turkey continue to quote at a premium to Indian prices.

A prolonged hot and dry spell has delayed the sowing of cumin, or jeera, slashing acreage 25-30 percent from last year, but traders and analysts said the deficit could narrow if conditions improve. [nBOM487298]

PEPPER

Indian pepper futures also traded over 2 percent down as traders booked profits after prices rose 5 percent since the start of the week, analysts said.

Brazilian pepper, which is still quoting at a discount to Indian rates, also hurt prices, they said.