Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian market for fresh capsicum and pimenta fruits experienced steady volume growth from 2018 to 2022, increasing from 27.5 million tonnes to over 30.2 million tonnes. This expansion was driven by the adoption of polyhouse cultivation techniques in India, which improved yields and quality, and by China's focus on high-quality production through research and industrialization. Government support policies in India for production and exports, alongside a regional shift in consumer preferences toward healthy foods during the COVID-19 pandemic, further stimulated demand.

Market volume growth slowed significantly in 2023, reaching just over 30.3 million tonnes, as extreme temperatures and climate variability in China caused production volatility and quality challenges. Concurrently, India's market benefited from advances in processing and packaging technology, supporting export growth. The market's value rose sharply in 2022, reflecting both volume increases and a consumer trend toward premium, quality-focused products in response to health and wellness movements across Asia.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Capsicum and pimenta fruit production in Asia has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia produced 29 322 K t of these fruits, marking a 3.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Asia's capsicum and pimenta fruit production value has rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 67 142 M $ US, showing a gradual uptick of 3.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, production value decreased by 12.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64 979 M $ US, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Asia exported 444.1 K t of capsicum and pimenta fruits in 2020, representing a significant gain of 25.8% from the previous year. Export levels varied considerably, with a 1.7-fold difference between the high of 464.2 K t in 2018 and the low in 2017. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 24.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 72.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Germany, and Romania were the top buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Asia, accounting for 25.0%, 4.6%, and 2.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 32.5% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, capsicum and pimenta fruit exports from Asia reached 696.4 M $ US, an 8.4% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 18.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was broad. Russia, Germany, and Romania accounted for 24.6%, 5.5%, and 3.4% of exports in value, respectively, but together they formed only 33.5% of total flows. This indicates that a substantial 66.5% was supplied to many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign capsicum and pimenta fruit supplies to Asia totalled 213.9 K t, a sharp increase of 40.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 38.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 152.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and New Zealand led as the top suppliers of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Asia, jointly accounting for 2.6% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign capsicum and pimenta fruit supplies to Asia totalled 485.0 M $ US, up by 12.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 430.4 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 496.1 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Spain remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in value terms, with shares of 7.1%, 3.3%, and 0.8%, respectively. Their combined share accounted for 11.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020