AsemconnectVietnam -  On Tuesday, domestic pepper prices in Vietnam's Central Highlands fell by VND68,000 to VND71,000 per kg compared to Yesterday, according to Kinhtedothi.vn.

In Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, the maximum price for pepper stayed at VND71,500 per kg, while in Gia Lai province, the lowest price at VND69,000 per kg. Farmers in Binh Phuoc sold pepper for VND70,500 per kilogram, in Dong Nai province for VND69,000 per kilogram, and in Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces for VND70,000 per kilogram.
Regarding the production of the new crop, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spices Association, the floods that took place in July in the Central Highlands, especially in Dak Nong province, have affected the pepper garden. If the pepper garden is not treated with drainage to avoid waterlogging, it will affect the yield of the next crop.
However, that is not as worrying as the El Nino phenomenon that will take place at the end of the year and last until the beginning of next year, which leads to drought, lack of rain and may reduce Vietnam's pepper production next year.
By the end of July 2023, Vietnam imported 17,281 tonnes of pepper of all kinds, of which black pepper reached 16,225 tonnes, and white pepper reached 1,056 tonnes, compared to the same period last year. The import volume decreased by 32.9% year on year, equivalent to 8,469 tonnes.
Brazil is the largest pepper supplier to Vietnam, accounting for 62.6% and increasing by 50.8% over the same period last year, reaching 10,824 tonnes. Meanwhile, imports from Cambodia decreased by 74.2% and from Indonesia decreased by 51.7%. Olam, Pearl and Nedspice are 3 main importers with 7,136 tonnes, 2,789 tonnes and 1,548 tonnes.
Like Vietnam, other Southeast Asian countries are facing a decline in pepper production due to extreme weather, and farmers are not interested in pepper. In that context, Vietnam increased imports from Brazil to make up for the shortfall, but imports in the first months of the year still fell sharply compared to the same period last year.
Following are domestic pepper prices on August 22, 2023, in the main pepper growing and consumption regions:

T.Huong
Source: Vitic/Kinhtedothi