Pepper market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in CIS countries experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume surged from 44 348 t in 2018 to 60 197 t in 2019, supported by a sharp rise in domestic production. However, a severe contraction followed in 2020, with volume falling to 40 634 t as production dropped by over 40%.

The market partially recovered in 2021–2022, reaching 48 459 t in 2022, before easing to 44 888 t in 2023. In 2020, Russian chili pepper exports demonstrated growth potential, contributing to an increase in outbound shipments. By 2024, global trends such as the rising popularity of spicy cuisine supported pepper demand, while growing confectionery production in the CIS indirectly stimulated spice consumption.

Production pepper in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. From 2017 to 2019, production levels varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 13.8 times. In 2019, pepper production in the CIS reached its highest point at 47 516 tons. However, by 2020, output dropped sharply to 28 415 tons, marking a 40.2% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial growth occurred in 2018, with production surging by 893.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market displayed considerable volatility throughout the observed timeframe. Between 2017 and 2019, the peak-to-trough amplitude in value terms was 13 times. In 2019, pepper output in the CIS hit its maximum value of 646.8 million US dollars. By 2020, this figure fell significantly to 271.6 million US dollars, representing a steep 58.0% decline year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a growth of 820.8%.

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

Exports pepper from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 300 tons. By 2020, they rebounded sharply to 512 tons, a 70.4% increase compared to the previous year, with a 1.7-fold gap between these two years. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pepper exports from the CIS were relatively diversified. Ukraine accounted for 12.6% of exports in kind, Mongolia for 5.9%, and Georgia for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 21.2% of total export 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, K $ US

Pepper exports from the CIS increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 892 thousand US dollars, a solid 19.7% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 048 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of pepper from the CIS in value terms were Ukraine with 15.3% of exports, Mongolia with 4.4%, and Georgia with 0.7%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 20.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports pepper to CIS

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, pepper imports into the CIS totaled 12 731 tons, a slight decline of 1.9% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 391 tons, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 12 981 tons. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 3.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 24.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for pepper imports into the CIS in kind were Vietnam with 66.5% of imports, India with 8.1%, and Indonesia with 4.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.6% 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, K $ US

In 2020, the value of pepper imports into the CIS amounted to 32 196 thousand US dollars, down 3.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 26.7%, while the largest increase was a marginal 0.1% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key suppliers of pepper to the CIS in value terms were Vietnam with 65.3% of imports, Indonesia with 6.6%, and Brazil with 5.9%. These three countries jointly represented 77.8% of total import value.

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

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