Pepper market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market volume in South-eastern Asia exhibited substantial volatility from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 269 000 thousand tonnes in 2018, it contracted sharply to 90 300 thousand tonnes by 2020. A recovery followed, lifting the market to 159 200 thousand tonnes in 2022, before it declined again to 125 300 thousand tonnes in 2023. Production mirrored this instability, reaching a high of 395 500 thousand tonnes in 2021 before falling to 357 900 thousand tonnes in 2023.

The market contraction in 2023 coincided with global supply chain factors, including weather-related disruptions and shifting demand-supply trends, which affected pepper availability and pricing. For 2024, trade data shows a continued rise in exports to 269 100 thousand tonnes and a fall in imports to 16 800 thousand tonnes. During this period, increasing consumer preference for organic and natural pepper products has been a persistent driver of segment growth, while price volatility remains a key market feature.

Production pepper in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

Pepper production in South-eastern Asia grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 392.7 thousand tons. The following year, in 2020, output fell to 383.8 thousand tons, representing a 2.3% decrease compared to 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 3.2%.

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

Exports pepper from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations, indicating a volatile market. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 141.5 thousand tons, which marked a substantial 45.7% decline from the previous year. In 2019, exports rebounded sharply with a 115.9% increase. By 2020, South-eastern Asia's pepper exports reached 317.7 thousand tons, representing a 4.0% rise compared to 2019 and establishing the highest volume during this period. The gap between the lowest (2018) and highest (2020) export volumes was 2.2-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated South-eastern Asia's pepper exports. The United States accounted for 17.1% of export volumes, China for 14.4%, and India for 7.8%. Together, these three markets represented just 39.4% of total exports, with numerous smaller partners making up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South-eastern Asia's pepper exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 42.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.8%. In 2020, export value reached 846 million US dollars, showing a modest year-on-year decline of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure for pepper exports in value terms remained highly diversified. The United States accounted for 18.5% of export value, China for 11.3%, and India for 7.6%. Combined, these three markets represented only 37.4% of total export value, while numerous smaller markets accounted for the remaining 62.6%.

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

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

Imports pepper to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes displayed an unstable pattern throughout the period. The lowest point occurred in 2017, while imports peaked in 2019 at 26.8 thousand tons. In 2020, South-eastern Asia's pepper imports reached 24.2 thousand tons, representing a 9.7% decrease compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 96.4%. The gap between the lowest (2017) and highest (2019) import volumes was 2.6-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the leading source of pepper imports to South-eastern Asia, accounting for 17.5% of import volumes. India followed with 2.3%, and China with 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented 21.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After declining for two years, South-eastern Asia's pepper imports in value terms increased in 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 126 million US dollars, following a 22.2% decline in 2018. In 2020, imports rebounded to 152 million US dollars, representing a 21.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was the principal source of pepper imports to South-eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 17.1% of import value. India followed with 3.0%, and China with 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 21.7% of total import value.

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

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