According to preliminary statistics of Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), in July 2024, Vietnam exported 697 tonnes of chili, with a turnover of 1.6 million USD. Compared to the previous month, export volume decreased by 14.5%.
In the past 7 months, total chili export volume of Vietnam reached 8,023 tonnes, an increase of 3.5% over the same period in 2023. In which, Asian market continued to play a leading role with 7,727 tonnes, an increase of 2.1% over the same period in 2023; the American market reached 143 tonnes, an increase of 123.4%; European market reached 80 tonnes and Africa was 73 tonnes.
China was Vietnam's largest chili export market in the first 7 months of this year, reaching 6,834 tonnes, accounting for 85.2% of total export output. Compared to the same period last year, export output in the past 7 months to China decreased by 1.9%. Ranked second was Lao market with 810 tonnes, accounting for 10%; up 44.6% over the same period. The US market ranked third, reaching 134 tonnes, up 157.7% over the same period last year.
Also in the past 7 months, strong growth was recorded in a number of chili export markets of Vietnam. Specifically, Taiwan (China) increased the most, with 640% (from 5 tonnes in the same period in 2023 to 37 tonnes); Senegal increased by 300%, with an output of 8 tonnes...
Chili is a familiar fruit to Vietnamese consumers. Farmers consider chili plants to be a 'one capital, ten profits' plant because chili has characteristics of short-term growth, can be intercropped with fruit trees and does not require much care, so it is suitable for cultivation conditions of farmers across the country. Normally, chili plants will be planted around September to November every year. After 2 months of planting, chili plants will begin to yield 3-4 harvests in about 3 months, the highest quality fruit with an ideal weight of up to 4 kg per plant.
According to Department of Crop Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), chili is grown most in provinces of Dong Thap, An Giang, Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long with a total area of over 7,000 hectares, with an output of about 100,000 tonnes/year. In the Central Highlands, chili growing area is about 4,000 - 5,000 hectares with an output of about 60,000 tonnes/year.
Since March 2022, China has allowed Vietnam to officially export chili to this market, creating conditions to increase export output. In 2023, Vietnam’s chili exports reached 20 million USD, equivalent to 10,173 tonnes, an increase of 107% over the previous year.
Currently, chili export are facing many difficulties. Accordingly, last June, Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a notice stating that the European Commission had published Official Gazette Regulation No.2024/1662 signed on June 11, 2024 on reviewing application of additional inspection measures and emergency measures to manage import of agricultural products and food from third countries into the EU according to Regulation 2019/1973.
Specifically, Vietnam's agricultural products including chili, dragon fruit, and okra continue to be inspected by EU with increased frequency and stricter food safety conditions.
In particular, for chili products, the EU applies a 50% inspection frequency; at the same time, each shipment is accompanied by a Food Safety Certificate and analysis results of pesticide residues in product. This is a big challenge for Vietnamese export enterprises.
Therefore, in order to continue to stably export agricultural products to EU market, including chili, Ministry of Industry and Trade recommends that enterprises producing agricultural products and foodstuffs need to improve product quality management to meet the requirements of this market.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn