Domestic pepper prices dropped steeply by 3,500–5,000 dong per kg on March 19, falling to around 137,000–138,000 dong per kg across key growing regions. The decline marked a reversal from previous sessions and reflected increasing supply from the ongoing harvest.

In the Central Highlands, prices in Dak Lak fell by as much as 5,000 dong to 138,000 dong per kg, while Dak Nong also declined by 3,000 dong to the same level. Prices in Gia Lai dropped 3,500 dong to 137,000 dong per kg, with similar declines recorded in Dong Nai, Ba Ria–Vung Tau and Binh Phuoc, where prices ranged between 137,000 and 137,500 dong per kg.

On the global market, pepper prices edged lower in Indonesia and Brazil. Indonesian black pepper Lampung was quoted at $6,994 per tonne, down 0.29%, while white pepper Muntok fell to $9,260 per tonne. Brazil’s black pepper ASTA 570 dropped 0.82% to $6,050 per tonne. Prices in Malaysia remained unchanged, with black pepper Kuching ASTA at $9,100 per tonne and white pepper at $12,100 per tonne.

Vietnam’s export prices were steady, with black pepper (500 g/l) at $6,300 per tonne and (550 g/l) at $6,400 per tonne, while white pepper stood at $9,050 per tonne.

Traders and officials attributed the domestic price drop to rising supply from the new harvest, while demand had yet to pick up. Export activity also weakened in February. According to customs data, Vietnam exported 13,900 tonnes of pepper worth $91.9 million in February, down 36% in volume and 34% in value from January. Compared with a year earlier, exports fell 2.7% in volume and 5.2% in value.

However, in the first two months of 2026, pepper exports totalled 35,570 tonnes worth $231.2 million, up 31% in volume and 26% in value year-on-year. Average export prices rebounded to $6,609 per tonne in February, up 2.8% from January but still down 2.6% from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s domestic coffee prices extended gains, rising by about 800 dong per kg to trade between 91,800 and 93,100 dong per kg. In Dak Nong, prices reached as high as 93,100 dong per kg, while Dak Lak and Gia Lai recorded levels around 92,700–92,800 dong per kg.

On international markets, robusta coffee futures in London rose, with the March 2026 contract gaining $52, or 1.43%, to $3,693 per tonne, supported partly by slower selling from Vietnam and declining inventories. Robusta stockpiles fell to 4,348 lots as of March 18, the lowest level in two months, triggering short-covering activity.

By contrast, arabica futures in New York declined, with the March contract falling 0.62% to 292.90 cents per lb, pressured by expectations of a strong upcoming crop in Brazil. Analysts said Brazil could achieve a record harvest this year, although near-term supply remained tight as farmers held back sales.

ICE-monitored arabica inventories rose to 585,621 bags, the highest level in nearly six months, further weighing on prices. Market participants said coffee prices could face downward correction after a recent rally, similar to trends seen in cocoa markets.

In the rice sector, domestic prices remained stable, with both paddy and rice unchanged. Fresh paddy prices were reported at 5,400–6,700 dong per kg depending on variety, while trading activity stayed slow due to weak demand.

Export rice prices were also steady, with Vietnam’s 5% broken rice quoted at $354–358 per tonne, while jasmine rice ranged between $424 and $428 per tonne. However, data showed that Vietnamese fragrant rice prices had declined in recent weeks, hitting their lowest level since records began in 2011, due to weak demand from key buyers such as the Philippines and African markets, alongside abundant supply from the main harvest.

In the fruit sector, domestic durian prices were largely unchanged but demand remained subdued. In the Mekong Delta, Ri6 durian was traded at 55,000–60,000 dong per kg for premium grades, while lower-quality fruit fetched 25,000–30,000 dong per kg. Thai durian varieties were priced higher, ranging from 75,000 to 90,000 dong per kg depending on quality and region.

Despite the sluggish domestic market, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports showed strong growth momentum. In the first two months of 2026, export turnover reached approximately $1.09 billion, up 59.5% year-on-year. China remained the largest market, accounting for about 58.3% of total exports, followed by the United States and South Korea.

Industry officials said improvements in traceability, planting area codes and processing capacity had helped enhance product quality and compliance with international standards, reducing the number of shipments flagged for pesticide residues in key markets.

Overall, Vietnam’s agricultural markets on March 19 were shaped by rising supply pressures in some sectors and uneven global demand, with pepper prices declining sharply, coffee gaining support from tightening inventories, and rice and fruit markets remaining under pressure from subdued consumption.

Source: Vitic