Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for capsicum and pimenta fruits in the CIS declined from 548.5 thousand tons to 515.6 thousand tons. This reduction was influenced by global supply challenges and speculative price increases in the spice market, which constrained imports. Simultaneously, domestic production began to expand as part of active efforts to reduce import dependency, with early development of local pepper cultivation and greenhouse farming.

The market rebounded sharply in 2022, reaching 649.7 thousand tons, driven by a significant jump in domestic production to 461.8 thousand tons. This surge was supported by continued investment in niche greenhouse vegetables, including peppers, and the introduction of state traceability systems for pesticides that affected agricultural practices. By 2023, production edged up further to 465.6 thousand tons, but the market size softened to 625.2 thousand tons as imports contracted again, partly due to growing self-sufficiency and lower import dependence.

In 2024, available data shows a further decline in imports to 149.6 thousand tons and a rise in exports to 19.0 thousand tons. Factors such as record-high greenhouse vegetable output and import restrictions on produce from Kazakhstan are shaping trade dynamics, although full market volume figures are not yet available for the year.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in CIS

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

In 2019, production of capsicum and pimenta fruits in the CIS saw a slight decline of 0.8%. However, in 2020, output rebounded to 369.4 thousand tons, marking a modest 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 7.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of capsicum and pimenta fruits production in the CIS rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 392.3 million US dollars, up 5.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 362.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.5%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits from the CIS experienced a small decline of 1.7%. By 2020, cross-border shipments had recovered to 14.0 thousand tons, reflecting an 8.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 27.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The most substantial increase was in 2018, when exports surged by 18.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine was the leading destination for capsicum and pimenta fruits exports from the CIS in volume terms, accounting for 18.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of capsicum and pimenta fruits exports from the CIS increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 14.9 million US dollars, up 12.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 12.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13.1 million US dollars, which also saw a decline of 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the single largest buyer of capsicum and pimenta fruits from the CIS in value terms, taking 9.6% of total exports.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits into the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 199.6 thousand tons, down 16.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 199.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for capsicum and pimenta fruits imports into the CIS in volume terms were China (32.8% of imports), Israel (28.4% of imports), and Turkey (11.1% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruits imports into the CIS declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 214.2 million US dollars, a significant decrease of 13.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 5.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 247.8 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with an 8.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of capsicum and pimenta fruits to the CIS in value terms were Israel (38.8% of imports), China (27.9% of imports), and Turkey (10.2% of imports). Collectively, these three countries formed 76.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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