AsemconnectVietnam - On Wednesday, domestic pepper prices in Vietnam's Central Highlands increased by 500 VND to VND92,500 - VND94,000 per kg compared to Yesterday due to limited supply, according to Kinhtedothi.

The maximum price for pepper stayed at VND94,000 per kg in Dac Lac and Dak Nong while in Gia Lai province, the lowest price rose to VND92,500 per kg. Farmers in Dong Nai sold pepper for VND94,000 per kilogram, in Binh Phuoc province for VND93,500 per kilogram, and in Ba Ria – Vung Tau for 93,500 VND.
Preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) showed that Vietnam exported 25,000 tonnes of pepper in March, down 33% y-o-y. Prices of domestic pepper increased by 500 - 2,000 VND per kg in this month.
Export prices averaged 4,022 USD per tonne during January - February, up 28.7% from the same period last year.
According to data from the General Department of Customs, in the first 2 months of 2024, Vietnam's pepper exports reached about 35 thousand tonnes, worth 143 million USD, down 12.3% in volume, but up 12.9% in value compared to the same period in 2023.
In February 2024, black pepper prices in the domestic market fluctuated in an upward trend and remained at a high level. The upward price trend is forecast to continue in the short term due to limited supply.
VPSA Chairwoman Hoang Thi Lien attributed the surge of pepper prices to low inventories and strong demand in the US market in the last three months of 2023. The late harvest season in Dak Nong province was also a problem, she said, adding that a temporary shortage of supply led to an increase in domestic prices.
Currently, many localities are accelerating pepper harvesting in the 2023-2024 crop but farmers are delaying their sales with expectations of higher prices, she added.
Echoing her opinion, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Director of Prosi Thang Long Company, said that pepper exports have recorded strong growth since 2023.
Domestic pepper prices have also increased since December last year and many farmers and businesses expected that the export of pepper will thrive in 2024, she noted.
The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) predicts that Vietnam’s pepper production in 2024 will decrease by approximately 10-15 percent to 160,000-170,000 tonnes.
According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), Vietnam's pepper output in 2023 is estimated to reach about 190,000 tonnes and is expected to decrease by 10-15% this year. Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces contribute about half of Vietnam's pepper output, followed by Dong Nai, Gia Lai, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Most pepper is harvested between January and April.
Vietnam has about 100,000 hectares of pepper for harvest with an average yield of about 24.7 tonnes/hectare, equivalent to an output of about 247,000 tonnes. While pepper prices are still meager, pepper production costs tend to increase.
Following are domestic pepper prices on April 3, 2024, in the main pepper growing and consumption regions:

T.Huong
Source: Vitic/Kinhtedothi