Vietnam, the world’s largest pepper exporter, will have lower pepper output in the coming years on account of adverse weather conditions and pest and disease infestation, said Do Ha Nam, the chairman of Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA).
The output is expected to drop from 118,000 tons to 100,000 tons this year, forcing a decline in exports from 116,000 tons shipped in 2006.
Last year, Vietnam’s pepper output was estimated at more than 120,000 tons, down from 135,000 tons in 2005 and 140,000 tons in 2004, the chairman added.
The association is joining hands with local authorities of provinces with large pepper plantations, seek measures to hold total pepper area at 50,000 hectares, yielding some 100,000 tons on average.
A smaller crop in Vietnam is part of a tightening world supply situation. Total world availability is expected to be down around 16 per cent, as demand rises 3 per cent, leading to soaring pepper export prices, forecast at around US$2,200-2,500 per ton.
As a result, world pepper trading levels are expected to trend upward in the coming months, especially from February to May.
Vietnamese pepper products are currently available in nearly 80 countries and territories worldwide with the European Union, the United States, and Japan being the biggest markets.
In related news, the Southeast Asian country has so far this year sold 65,000 tons of pepper abroad, fetching nearly US$104 million, up 12.6 per cent and 17.8 per cent on year, respectively. (Vietnam & World Economy)
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