Pepper market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in Eastern Asia expanded in volume from 53.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 72.9 thousand tons in 2020, largely due to a surge in imports. However, from 2021 onward, market volume contracted, falling to 56.2 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market fluctuated, dropping to $287.6 million in 2019 but recovering to peak at $352.6 million in 2022 before declining to $319.4 million in 2023.

The post-2020 volume decline aligned with global supply chain disruptions and climate change impacts, which constrained pepper availability. In 2022, these factors contributed to lower imports and higher prices, explaining the rise in market value despite falling volume. Increased pepper imports into India in 2023 likely diverted supply from East Asia, further reducing regional market volume.

In 2024, imports into the region rose to 29 thousand tons, while exports jumped to 5.6 thousand tons. Climate change-induced production cuts in major pepper-growing nations, alongside geopolitical tensions and rising shipping costs, continued to influence the market. Simultaneously, growing consumer demand driven by health trends and the expansion of online distribution channels provided underlying support.

Production pepper in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

In 2020, Eastern Asia produced 35,486 tons of pepper, marking a 5.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.7%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a 5.2% rise.

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

Exports pepper from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Pepper exports from Eastern Asia showed notable fluctuations during the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the export volume was recorded at 3,126 tons, reflecting a 4.0% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 3,543 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.1% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 103.7% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pepper exports from Eastern Asia were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 13.1% of exports, the United States for 11.2%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 7.5%. Together, these three markets represented just 31.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, pepper exports from Eastern Asia amounted to 19.3 million US dollars, showing a moderate 5.0% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 23.0% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 32.4% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, pepper exports from Eastern Asia in value terms were spread across many countries. The United States accounted for 17.7% of exports, Asia, not elsewhere specified for 13.9%, and Germany for 12.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented only 44.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pepper to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Pepper imports into Eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 40,581 tons, reflecting a substantial 33.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 108.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia were the main sources for pepper imports into Eastern Asia. Vietnam accounted for 37.4% of imports, Indonesia for 29.7%, and Malaysia for 22.6%. Together, these three countries represented 89.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of pepper into Eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 135.3 million US dollars, reflecting a robust 17.2% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 112.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia formed the main cluster of markets for pepper imports into Eastern Asia in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 31.6% of imports, Indonesia for 28.7%, and Malaysia for 24.7%. Together, these three countries represented 84.9% of total import flows.

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

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