AsemconnectVietnam - On Wednesday, domestic pepper prices in Vietnam's Central Highlands remained unchanged at VND70,000 to VND72,500 per kg compared to Yesterday, according to Kinhtedothi.vn.

In Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, the maximum price for pepper stayed at 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.
According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, Vietnam's pepper output in 2023 is estimated to reach about 190,000 tonnes, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2022.
According to the Institute of Agricultural Planning and Design, currently about 94% of the area and 97% of the national pepper output are concentrated in two key production regions: the Southeast and the Central Highlands. Of which 91.7% of the area, 93.7% of the national pepper output is concentrated in 6 key production provinces: Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau . About 92% of Vietnam's pepper output is for export.
Every year, Vietnamese pepper is exported to over 100 countries and territories, mainly in European, Asian and American countries.
However, the current development of pepper production still lacks good varieties; Cultivation techniques still have many limitations, such as using too much chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and applying little organic fertilizer; unreasonable irrigation; Integrated pest management has not been taken seriously..., leading to strong disease outbreaks, rapid aging of pepper gardens, and environmental degradation.In addition, the floods that took place last July in the Central Highlands region, especially in Dak Nong province, also more or less affected pepper gardens. 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, leading to drought, lack of rain and possibly reducing Vietnamese pepper production next year.
Currently, many experts also predict that next year's pepper output will decline, also because the trend of cutting down pepper to plant more valuable crops is taking place in localities. However, the downward trend in output will not occur uniformly, on the contrary, production areas that are well invested and cared for, and areas with favorable weather will still record output growth.
In Binh Phuoc, this year's weather is quite favorable during the period of pepper fruit and seed production, and most pepper areas in the province are developing well.
After 3 consecutive years of crop failures due to adverse weather, this year's crop has many gardeners in Binh Phuoc confident and expecting when the weather is more stable, rain and sun mix, seed weight and chain length are more stable. Spending also increased compared to last year.
Following are domestic pepper prices on September 20, 2023, in the main pepper growing and consumption regions:

T.Huong
Source: Vitic/Kinhtedothi