According to data from the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), during the first quarter of 2025, Taiwan imported 739,249 kg of pepper (HS 090411 – Neither crushed nor ground) from 11 global suppliers, with a total import value of USD 5.9 million. This represents a 21.26% increase in volume and a 92.44% surge in valuecompared to the same period in 2024.
Indonesia and Vietnam Dominate Taiwan’s Pepper Imports
Indonesia remained Taiwan’s largest supplier of pepper, exporting 327,808 kg worth USD 2.75 million in Q1 2025 — an increase of 2.59% in volume and 57.83% in value year-on-year.
Vietnam followed closely behind as the second-largest exporter, shipping 304,035 kg of pepper to Taiwan with a total value of USD 2.23 million. This marks a 72.92% rise in export value and a remarkable 211.1% increase in export turnover compared to Q1 2024.
Together, Indonesia and Vietnam accounted for 85.47% of Taiwan’s total pepper imports during the first quarter of 2025.
Other Pepper Suppliers to Taiwan
Other significant suppliers included China and Malaysia, with market shares of 7.7% and 6.76%, respectively.
In addition to these four major partners, Taiwan also imported smaller volumes of pepper from Sri Lanka, Belgium, South Africa, Germany, Spain, France, and Japan — although the quantities were marginal.
Taiwan’s Import Inspection Measures for Vietnamese Pepper
It is noteworthy that following the detection of the coloring substance Red Sudan IV in imported pepper, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has imposed mandatory inspection on every shipment of pepper imported from Vietnam.
This measure has been in effect since November 8, 2024, and will remain active until January 17, 2026.