Photo: VGP/Le Anh

It is the consensus of many delegates who joined in the conference on sustainable pepper development in 2013, held by Vietnam Pepper Association on Oct. 18, in Ho Chi Minh city.

In the first 9 months of 2013, exporting output of peppers reached 748 million USD, increased 17.3 % compared to the same period in 2012, however, this increasing level is mainly due to increased export yields, partly compensated for reduced price.

According to assessment of delegates, pepper production in the whole country, annually export reached to 95 %, although the current high export value, but there are still many uncertainties for a long term.

According to the pepper development plan to 2020 and visions to 2030, the production will be stable at 50,000 ha, the export yield to 2020 will be 140.000 tones of peppers. However, presently in Vietnam, pepper is grown in 21 provinces, mainly in three regions: Southeast are 26,810 ha, Highlands is 22,860 ha and Central Coast is 6,410 ha, the area has exceeded planning
Complying with the pepper production plan has not been enough attention. That affects quality of the product which will impact the market in the long term.

Dr. Do Trung Binh, Institute of Agricultural Science in South Vietnam, said that must apply production towards organic, recommend farmers to limit expansion area where the natural conditions are not appropriate to minimize the possibility of disease, transfer from development of quantity to quality, choose good variety, seldom disease, high yield; produce under GAP processes, a sustainable organic trend.

Some pepper production models belong to GAP standards such as Gia Lai,  Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau that satisfy the demand for quality of Black pepper exports, not insects, mold and pesticide residues vegetation below the defined threshold. These models should be replicated quickly.

In addition, have to promote brand building, geographic origin, soon put into implementation from production to export in order to create a strong competitive trade and international integration.