The price of pepper in Gia Lai has exceeded 150,000 VND/kg. This is the highest level in nearly 10 years, since 2016.
The entire province currently has about 7,500 hectares of pepper. The average yield is about 3.5 tons/ha. Prices have increased with relatively stable yields, so farmers are making high profits.
The price of pepper has increased significantly due to a considerable reduction in the pepper area over the past decade as farmers have switched to other crops such as coffee and durian. At the same time, the demand for pepper has increased strongly in European and American markets.
“The black gold” of the Central Highlands reaches its highest price in 10 years.
According to the Vietnam Pepper Association, the volume of pepper exported to the US in January 2025 increased by more than 20% compared to the same period last year. Besides, unfavorable weather and diseases affecting pepper plants have also impacted production, causing supply to continue to decline.
Experts said that although the increase in pepper prices gives farmers the opportunity to improve their income, they should not expand the area massively but focus on enhancing product quality. The pepper market is cyclical. The current high prices present an opportunity but also pose risks if production is not sustainable. Farmers need to adopt organic farming, control pests, and collaborate with businesses to ensure stable output.
The high price of pepper helps farmers have more profits and regain their confidence with the crop that was once considered the “black gold” of the Central Highlands. To develop the pepper plant sustainably, Gia Lai will maintain an area of 8,500-10,000 hectares, establish concentrated production zones, and link them with processing and export.
At the same time, the province will promote the application of advanced farming techniques and increase the area of intercropped pepper to minimize diseases. The goal by 2030 is to achieve GAP certification for about 60% of pepper area and over 70% of the area to have growing codes for product traceability.