Compared to 2023, the amount of pepper exported in 2024 decreased by 5.1%, but the export turnover increased by 45.4%. Vietnam's pepper processing technology has reached the standards of the world market in general, promising a more sustainable return to the billion-dollar industry of Vietnamese pepper.
Local efforts to develop sustainable pepper
According to the report of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Gia Lai province, there are currently about 7,500 hectares of pepper in the province with an average yield of about 3.5 tons/ha. In recent years, in order to improve productivity, quality and sustainable development of the pepper industry, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Gia Lai province has proactively guided localities to focus on growing areas with advantages for pepper development such as Chu Puh, Chu Se, Chu Prong, Ia Grai, Chu Pah, Dak Doa, Mang Yang, Duc Co districts and Pleiku city. At the same time, the pepper acreage in unsuitable places has been reduced, ensuring a solid foundation for shifting crop structure.
Mr. Hoang Thi Tho, Deputy Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Gia Lai province, said that the high price of pepper has helped people gain more profit and regain confidence in the agricultural product once considered the "black gold" of the Central Highlands.
To develop pepper plants stably in the coming time, Gia Lai will maintain a stable pepper growing area of about 8.5 - 10 thousand hectares. At the same time, build a concentrated, safe and quality pepper production area associated with processing facilities.
On the other hand, Gia Lai will increase the area of intercropping pepper to reduce the pressure of harmful organisms as well as synchronously apply advanced farming techniques. By 2030, the pepper area in the province applying good agricultural practices (GAP) will reach over 60%.
"To sustainably develop the pepper industry, Gia Lai will promote production linkages. At the same time, it will synchronously apply technical advances in garden design, use biological products in pest control, develop organic pepper areas, have certification associated with the development of geographical indications and growing area codes," said Mr. Hoang Thi Tho, adding that by 2030, Gia Lai strives to have over 70% of pepper areas granted growing area codes and product traceability.
Currently, pepper prices have increased to more than 160 thousand VND/kg. This is the highest price in nearly 10 years, promising to bring high profits to pepper growers.
Vietnam's pepper exports in 2024 set a new record, with 1.32 billion USD. In the first month of 2025, pepper export prices remained high, up more than 30% compared to mid-2024. In particular, white pepper export prices are currently up 16% compared to the end of December 2024 and up 38% compared to mid-2024. This is a positive signal for pepper exports in 2025...
Compared to 2023, the pepper export volume in 2024 decreased by 5.1%; however, the export turnover increased by 45.4%. Regarding the types of pepper exported in 2024, black pepper reached 220,269 tons and 1.18 billion USD; white pepper reached 30,331 tons and 200.6 million USD.
In terms of markets, the United States is Vietnam's largest pepper export market in 2024 with 72,311 tons, accounting for 28.9% and an increase of 33.2% compared to 2023. This is also the highest record export volume ever, up 21.0% compared to the previous record year of 2021, reaching 59,778 tons. Next are the markets: UAE 16,391 tons, up 35.1%, accounting for 6.5%; Germany 14,580 tons, up 58.2%, accounting for 5.8%, the Netherlands 10,745 tons, up 35.2%, accounting for 4.3%; India 10,617 tons, down 17.1%, accounting for 4.2%. China's imports ranked 6th at 10,549 tons, down 82.4% and accounting for 4.2% market share.
Enterprises proactively adapt to the pepper market
Recently, the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Digital Map was introduced by the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) at the 2024 Annual Conference.
The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Digital Map will provide information on the area, output and growing regions of pepper and spices in Vietnam; support the connection between producers and importers, and promote international cooperation.
The main features of the Digital Map include: Displaying information by crop type and year; providing data on weather, soil and harvest time; listing businesses by type and certification. With these features, the Digital Map will improve transparency and management efficiency in the spice industry, increasing access to international markets.
VPSA expects that the Digital Map will play an important role in enhancing the position of the Vietnamese spice industry in the international market; building vegetation maps, soil maps, water maps, pesticide maps, etc.
According to VPSA statistics, the country currently has about 200 pepper processing and trading enterprises, of which 15 are leading enterprises, accounting for 70% of the country's export volume. The entire industry has 14 deep processing factories. In particular, there are 5 foreign-invested enterprises, accounting for nearly 30% of the export market share. Vietnam's pepper processing technology has reached the standards of the world market in general. Enterprises with high-tech processing factories according to ASTA, ESA, JSSA standards have created diverse products: whole black and white pepper, ground pepper, small packages.
Mr. Le Viet Anh, Chief of VPSA Office, assessed that with the current high pepper prices, farmers will be encouraged to increase their cultivation efforts, helping to increase productivity per hectare in the coming years. However, new planting areas will need time to produce products, so producing countries like Vietnam are unlikely to recover significantly in the short term. However, the initial signals for the 2025 crop in Vietnam are quite positive, with the potential for high yields if weather conditions are favorable. Thereby, the expectation is that both a good harvest and good prices will be achieved.
Looking towards 2025, VPSA said the pepper and spice industry will focus on supporting farmers, cooperatives and businesses to meet international standards on food quality and safety. This is part of a long-term strategy to increase product value, expand markets and enhance the position of Vietnamese pepper in the world market.
VPSA encourages farmers and pepper businesses to improve product quality from the planting stage, businesses to invest in deep processing, clean processing, diversify products, diversify markets to penetrate deeply into the global pepper supply chain.
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