Việt Nam’s pepper industry spices up export earnings despite volume dip

Harvesting pepper seeds in the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoài Thu

HCM CITY — Việt Nam’s pepper export earnings surged by 40.8 per cent year-on-year to US$764.2 million in the first seven months of this year, despite a slight decline of 2.2 per cent in export volume, according to the Việt Nam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA).

Rising global pepper prices primarily drove the remarkable growth. The US remained Việt Nam’s top pepper importer, purchasing 43,349 tonnes of Vietnamese pepper, a significant 48.4 per cent increase from the previous year, accounting for 26.4 per cent of the market share. It was followed by Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and China.

In July alone, Việt Nam shipped 21,771 tonnes of pepper, including 19,371 tonnes of black pepper and 2,400 tonnes of white pepper, earning $129.9 million. This represented a 43.7 per cent increase in volume and a staggering 128.9 per cent jump in value compared to the same period last year.

In January-July, Việt Nam exported 164,357 tonnes of pepper, comprising 145,330 tonnes of black pepper and 19,027 tonnes of white pepper, with total export revenue reaching $764.2 million, up 40.8 per cent.

To maintain this upward trajectory, VPSA Chairwoman Hoàng Thị Liên underlined the need to stabilise pepper cultivation areas, while enhancing product quality and diversifying high-value processed products.

The association recommends farmers adopt international standards, including those related to chemical residues, cultivation practices, pest control and preservation practices suited to regional climatic conditions. It is crucial to develop new pepper varieties with higher yields, of better quality and with disease resistance, she said.

Liên also encouraged local authorities to support the pepper industry by planning raw material areas and facilitating connections among farmers, processors and exporters.

Leveraging digital technology for production management, traceability and market access is essential. Moreover, promoting cooperatives and production groups can strengthen the supply chain and benefit exporters, Liên added. — VNS