Vietnam Expects Recovery of Pepper Exports

Vietnamese pepper companies expected exports of the product will recover in the coming months when the Southeast Asian country is entering new harvesting crop, the Vietnam Trade Information Center (VTIC) reported.

 

In April, the export showed signs of rebounding with export volume hitting 8,000 tons valued at US$30 million, bringing total exports in the first four months of 2008 to 24,000 tons worth US$84 million, down 15.2 per cent on year in volume but up 12.4 per cent in value, according to the General Statistics Office.

 

The VTIC said export prices of Vietnamese pepper are averaging at US$3,589 a ton, up 23.7 per cent over the same period of last year. At local market, pepper was also offered at high levels at between VND50,000 and VND55,000 a kilo.

 

The prices are forecast to rise in the coming months due to thin supplies on the world market.

 

Vietnam is expected to export 90,000 tons of pepper this year, down by 20,000 tons against 2007. (Vinanet, GSO April Edition)