Vietnam exported 23,000 tonnes of pepper worth nearly 66 million USD in the first quarter of this year.
Though the volume declined 14.55 percent year-on-year, earnings were 1.54 percent higher due to higher global prices of the spice, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
The average export price this year has been 3,111 USD a tonne, 22.1 percent higher than in the first quarter of last year. The price is expected to increase further this year due to a global supply shortfall.
The ministry said the recent unfavourable weather had caused a decline in pepper output and delayed harvests until mid-February.
Vietnam has been the world’s largest pepper producer and exporter since 2001, with Germany, India and the US being the biggest buyers.
Last year it exported a record 135,000 tonnes for 347 million USD, an increase of 49 percent in volume and 11.46 percent in value over 2008, according to the Vietnam Pepper Association./.
Though the volume declined 14.55 percent year-on-year, earnings were 1.54 percent higher due to higher global prices of the spice, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
The average export price this year has been 3,111 USD a tonne, 22.1 percent higher than in the first quarter of last year. The price is expected to increase further this year due to a global supply shortfall.
The ministry said the recent unfavourable weather had caused a decline in pepper output and delayed harvests until mid-February.
Vietnam has been the world’s largest pepper producer and exporter since 2001, with Germany, India and the US being the biggest buyers.
Last year it exported a record 135,000 tonnes for 347 million USD, an increase of 49 percent in volume and 11.46 percent in value over 2008, according to the Vietnam Pepper Association./.
