US$370 million from pepper exports in four months
(VOV) -Vietnam exported more than 38,000 tonnes of pepper in the first four months of 2013, earning US$370 million and improving on last year’s revenue by 30 percent.
The Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA) predicts over 90 million tonnes of pepper will be shipped abroad by the end of this year.
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Vietnam is currently the world leader in terms of pepper output (about 120,000 tonnes annually). However, 70 percent of pepper exports are in the form of raw materials with low value.
The country exports pepper to more than 90 countries and territories, but most consumers are unaware their spices originate in Vietnam as products are usually processed and packaged overseas.
Six foreign-invested businesses are purchasing and processing pepper in Vietnam.
They contributed nearly 40 percent of Vietnam’s total pepper export turnover last year.
VPA Chairman Do Ha Nam said pepper businesses should accelerate their restructuring and work together to maintain their global market share.
He thinks local exporters need to hone their competitive edge to stay ahead of foreign rivals.