In Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, the maximum price for pepper decreased to VND72,500 per kg, while in Gia Lai province, the lowest price to VND70,000 per kg. Farmers in Binh Phuoc sold pepper for VND72,000 per kilogram, in Dong Nai province for VND70,500 per kilogram, and in Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces for VND71,000 per kilogram.

In the first 8 months of 2023, Vietnam's pepper exports reached about 184,000 tonnes, worth of 600 million USD, up by 14.5% in volume, but down by 15.9% in value over the same period last year.

In the August 2023 report, the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association said that in the first 8 months of 2023, Vietnam exported 187,755 tonnes of pepper of all kinds, of which black pepper reached 168,643 tonnes, pepper white reached 19,112 tonnes. Total export turnover reached 616.1 million USD, black pepper reached 525.4 million USD, white pepper reached 90.7 million USD.

Compared to the same period last year, export volume increased by 15.1%, equivalent to 24,625 tonnes, however export turnover decreased by 15%, equivalent to a decrease of 108.9 million USD. The average export price of black pepper in the first 8 months of 2023 reached 3,523 USD/tonne, white pepper reached 5,058 USD/tonne.

China continues to be Vietnam's largest pepper export market in the first 8 months of 2023 reaching 53,792 tonnes, an increase of 454.8% and accounting for 28.7% of the market share. Next is the US with 33,589 tonnes, down 10.6%, accounting for 17.9% market share. Exports to some European markets also decreased such as Germany: 6,125 tonnes, down 20.0%; Netherlands: 5,522 tonnes, down 10.1%; Russia: 3,490 tonnes, down 7.2%. African region exports increased by 13.2%, of which Egypt increased by 47.5% to 3,113 tonnes; Senegal: 1,763 tonnes, up 53.2%.

The picture of Vietnam's pepper exports this year continues to show a paradox, when output increased sharply while value decreased. With a total export turnover of 616.1 million USD in the first 8 months of the year, it is considered that the billion-dollar export target of pepper this year has not been achieved.

​​Following are domestic pepper prices on September 19, 2023, in the main pepper growing and consumption regions:

T.Huong
Source: Vitic/Kinhtedothi