Vietnam has become the leading exporter of chili peppers in Asia

In 2022, Vietnam exported approximately 5,000 tons of chili peppers, generating $11.9 million. This figure drastically increased in 2023 to over 10,000 tons and $20 million, and by the end of 2023, exports had reached $22.2 million. While South Korea and the United States were traditionally the main buyers, China and Laos have now taken the lead, with market shares of 33% and 43%, respectively.

According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), the demand for Vietnamese chili in China is driven by their culinary traditions, such as Sichuan hot pot, which is rich in chili peppers. China, which previously sourced chili from India, has shifted towards Vietnam due to supply shortages. In Laos, the preference for spicy dishes has driven the increase in imports from Vietnam.

Vietnamese chili, valued for its high level of spiciness and varieties like chili, hot chili, and yellow chili, is now popular in both China and Laos. Domestic chili prices range from 22,000 to 28,000 VND/kg. The main chili-producing regions in Vietnam include Dong Thap and Thanh Binh district, the latter being the largest chili producer in the west.

Globally, Asia dominates chili production, accounting for 80% of the world’s production of 60 million tons, valued at $35 billion annually. India remains the leading producer and exporter of dried chili peppers, followed by Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.

Source: vietnam.vn Photo: havigno.vn