According to preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), Vietnam’s chili exports in June reached 1,8 million USD with 815 tons, down 43% in volume compared to May. In the first 6 months, Vietnam exported 7,326 tons of chili with a turnover of 17.9 million USD, an increase of 5.3% in volume and a sharp increase of 31.7% in value over the same period in 2023.
Chili exports have brought in 1.8 million USD in the first half of the year.
In terms of market, China was the largest export market of Vietnamese chili with 6,338 tons, accounting for 86.5%. Laos ranked second with 669 tons, accounting for 9.1%. The US was the third-largest market with 124 tons, equivalent to 1.7%.
Last year, chili exports reached a turnover of 20 million USD, corresponding to 10,173 tons, a strong increase of 107% compared to 2022.
Chili is common among Vietnamese consumers. Farmers consider chili a ‘one capital, ten profit’ plant. Because chili has short-lived growth and can be intercropped with fruit trees without much care, it is suitable for cultivation across the country. Normally, chili is grown from September to November every year. After two months of planting, it is available to harvest in three to four periods in about three months. Chili with the highest quality and ideal weight can be up to four kg per plant.
For Chinese ‘closed’ customers, one of the reasons that China is increasing the import of Vietnamese chili is the high spiciness and diversity of species. In addition, the crop gap also helps export output increase. In China, the harvest mainly takes place from June to October every year.
In Vietnam, chili peppers are usually grown in two crops, so there are many harvest times from April to early July and from January to February. Chili is grown throughout the Mekong Delta, which is considered the center of Vietnamese chili. The total area is over 7,000 hectares, with an annual output of about 100,000 tons.