Illustration photo
According to preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), Vietnam’s pepper exports reached 558 tons and earned $3.4 million in February 2024. In the first two months of the year, the country earned $7.9 million from 1,437 tons of pepper, a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the same period last year.
In terms of market, India is the largest customer with 731 tons, accounting for 50.9%. The US is the second largest market with a share of 9.3%. Prosi Thang Long and Nedspice are the two largest exporters with production volumes of 333 tons and 109 tons, respectively.
Source: VPA
In 2023, Vietnam exported 16,136 tons of pepper, a strong increase of 26% in volume, and earned $83 million. The average export price in 2023 reached $6,376 per ton, a decrease of 8% compared to the previous year. India and China are the two largest markets, accounting for 48.7% and 25.5% of the export market, with 7,860 tons and 4,116 tons, respectively.
Notably, pepper is a rare flower worldwide, a flower from the pepper tree (or big pepper). Big pepper only grows in four provinces of China, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, and the provinces of Cao Bang and Lang Son of Vietnam (such as Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh). According to Tridge’s data, China, Vietnam, and India are currently the dominant suppliers of pepper worldwide. Among them, Vietnam and China are the only two countries capable of producing large quantities of pepper thanks to favorable conditions.
Pepper is a tall shrub, with a trunk shape like a wedge-shaped fruit, green all year round, straight trunk, branches easy to break. Leaves grow in clusters of 3-4 leaves at the top of the branch, with stalks, entire leaf blades, 8-12cm long, 3-4cm wide, smooth, crumpled and fragrant. If pepper trees are well grown and cared for, they will bear flowers after 4 years of planting.
The yield from the 4th to 6th year is 0.5-1 kg/tree, so pepper flowers are even more precious. From the 20th year onwards, the tree will have a stable yield of 40-50kg/tree. If pepper trees are planted and cared for properly, they will have high and stable yields, extending the harvest time to 80 years.
In Vietnam, pepper flowers are often preferred to be used as spices in the form of powder or whole buds. Because of its spicy and aromatic characteristics, pepper flowers are widely used in dishes such as pho, curry, stew, braised dishes, etc., to create a strong and unique flavor. In addition, pepper flowers also create a sense of appetite and stimulate the taste.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the total market value of herbal products is expected to reach $430 billion by 2028. According to statistics, Vietnam currently has more than 5,100 species of medicinal plants, with great potential and advantages for developing medicinal plants into an economic industry.
