New Delhi, 02 June (NNS): The prices of black pepper markara held firm at Rs 740 per kg due to the sluggish buying from the stockists at the higher prices. Recently, the prices have gone up by Rs 10/15 per kg. The arrivals and the prices held stable at the same level at the same level of the previous day in Kochi. The market sentiments may affect as the monsoon seems off. There is no possibility of improvement in the spot black pepper prices during the near future.