Pepper market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the pepper market in Central Asia saw substantial swings. A 12% expansion in global pepper cultivation area in 2018 helped boost production, contributing to a market volume of 35.8 thousand tons that year. Growth continued in 2019 as the market surged by 38% to 49.3 thousand tons. However, a broad correction followed in 2020, with the market contracting by 39% to 30.3 thousand tons.

The market rebounded to 38.2 thousand tons in 2021, a year when global pepper output peaked at 873 thousand tons. Moderate growth resumed in 2022, with the market reaching 39.9 thousand tons, supported by a stabilization of world production at a level below the previous peak due to yield and harvest area fluctuations. By 2023, the market volume had eased to 37.0 thousand tons. During this period, consumer interest increasingly shifted toward organic pepper, while regional efforts to develop domestic production and localize supply chains gained momentum.

Production pepper in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2019, showing a 13.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia produced 28 415 tons of pepper, representing a sharp decline of 40.2% compared to the previous year. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 47 516 tons. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with production surging by 893.7%.

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

Exports pepper from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Central Asia exported 284 tons of pepper, marking a dramatic improvement of 129.5% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 103 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with exports falling by 26.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated pepper exports from Central Asia. Russia accounted for 16.6% of exports in volume, Georgia for 7.6%, and Pakistan for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 31.3% of total exports, while the remaining volume was distributed among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a 3.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Central Asia exported pepper worth 450 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep gain of 60.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 130 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with exports falling by 59.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with exports rising by 116.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated pepper exports from Central Asia in value terms. Russia accounted for 30.8% of export value, Pakistan for 6.7%, and Georgia for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.7% of total export value, while the remaining value was distributed among many smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports pepper to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imported pepper volumes in Central Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia imported pepper volumes that marked a substantial gain of 13.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 48.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam was the largest supplier of pepper to Central Asia, accounting for 63.8% of imports in volume. Russia followed with 11.7%, and the United Arab Emirates with 4.9%. Together, these three countries formed 80.5% of total imports, with the remainder coming from various other sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Central Asia's pepper import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 710 thousand US dollars, which is 16.0% higher compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 35.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two leading markets—Vietnam and Russia—together accounted for 92.1% of total import value for pepper in Central Asia. The remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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