Viet Nam sees growing exports for pepper

THE Viet Nam Pepper Association has forecast the country’s exports to reach US$1 billion (150,000 tonnes) in 2014. Shipments were worth $519.2 million, or 46.3% higher year-on-year, in the first four months of the year, according to chairman Do Ha Nam.

The country dominates global market share at nearly 50%, Mr Nam said during a meeting held in Ho Chi Minh city in 22 May. Local farmers are encouraged to apply good agricultural practices (GAP) in order to meet the standards of importing markets such as the EU. The Association would persuade buyers to pay higher prices for GAP-certified pepper, Mr Nam added.

Duong Phuong Thao, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import-Export Department warned that agencies must review the country’s pepper cultivation to prevent oversupply which would lead to price falls. Ms Thao added that investment in new technology is needed to improve output and value.

Viet Nam has 62,000 hectares of pepper plantation. Production output is likely to be higher by125,000-130,000 tonnes, from last year.