Export Pressure and Price Decline
Table of Contents
In 2017, Vietnam’s black pepper output rose nearly 25% year-on-year. Yet export volume reached only 214,000 tons, with revenues dropping 21% to US $1.11 billion compared with 2016.
Global market research warns that pepper prices will keep falling, as major producers—including Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Brazil—continue to expand supply. At the same time, importers in the EU and United States are tightening technical standards, adding further pressure on Vietnam’s pepper industry.
Government Plan for Sustainable Production
To protect the sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) recommends gradually reducing the total pepper-growing area:
- By 2025: hold national acreage around 110,000 hectares.
- By 2030: stabilize at approximately 100,000 hectares.
By scaling back acreage and focusing on quality, Vietnam’s pepper industry can move toward long-term profitability and environmental sustainability, maintaining its leading role in the global market while meeting tougher export requirements.