Chu Se Pepper - A Strong Trademark for Export

Prospering from pepper
In Gia Lai province, Chu Se district has many favourable conditions to develop the pepper industry. The district now has over 3,000 ha of pepper tended by more than 8,000 households. The pepper area is quite stable in Gia Lai province and the district harvests from 12,000 to 15,000 tonnes of pepper, accounting for 17 % of the country’s output. With an average output of 4.6 - 5 tonnes per ha, Chu Se leads the country in terms of productivity, output and quality.

 

In 2007, the Chu Se pepper trademark was announced. This helped the local premium pepper become more known to the world. Currently, nearly 98 % of households in Chu Se district are living on pepper. Previously, pepper trees were considered a way to help local farmers to escape hunger and poverty; it is now enriching Chu Se farmers. At present, the district has more than 100 households cropping over 30 tonnes of pepper and the number of rich households is multiplying year after year.

 

In recent years, the quality of Chu Se pepper has been continually improved and gradually met the highest requirements in both domestic and international markets. Many methods to tend and process clean pepper have been adopted with the assistance and guidance from competent authorities. Many disease-resistance and high-yield varieties have been introduced to local farmers. The People’s Committee of Chu Se district also cooperated with Masaco Company to build a clean pepper plant with an annual output of 5,000 tonnes per annum to further improve the quality and reduce prices to boost international sales.

Especially, Chu Se pepper products have been diversified to increase export value. From only black pepper for local consumption, the district is now capable of producing white pepper for export. This type of pepper is carefully selected and processed under a very strict technical process and it thus has a very high economic value. This is also a typical product of the Chu Se pepper industry.

 

Recently, red pepper has been introduced to Chu Se. The export value of processed red pepper is 3-4 times higher than black pepper. Control Testing Company also verified export quality compliance.

With preserving efforts to improve the product quality, the Chu Se pepper has been exported to more than 73 countries and territories in the world, outpacing long-standing pepper growers like India, Indonesia and Malaysia. Vietnam is now the world’s largest pepper exporter.

 

Efforts to keep trademark
Since the Chu Se pepper trademark was officially recognised, many countries and territories shifted their attention to the Chu Se pepper of Vietnam. The selling price is thus 10 % - 15 % higher than other localities. From this, a new prospect is opened to pepper growers. Knowing that world markets are very keen on white pepper, the district has applied new white pepper processing technologies to ensure premium quality. Besides, Chu Se is the first place in Vietnam to find out the red pepper processing process. At present, Chu Se district is seeking best methods to link the State, enterprises, scientists and farmers to invest and transfer white and red pepper processing technologies to farmers to further improve the quality of the local pepper.

 

In addition to popularising the Chu Se pepper trademark, the Chu Se People’s Committee is implementing a standard pepper processing model and building disease-free pepper variety nurseries to heighten the pepper quality for export.